Margate City, NJ Workshop & Commission Meeting May 7th, 2026

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. Copy of the annual
meeting notice was sent to the press of
Atlantic City star ledger posted on the
Bolton board in the municipal build the
municipal website and filed in the
office of the municipal clerk. Please
turn on turn off all cell phones.
>> Please stand for the pledge of
allegiance.
Attention salute. I pledge 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,
>> here.
>> Welcome everybody. We have a a few
things to to start off here in a
positive light. So, very excited about
that. I'd first like to call uh Bear
Dennis forward.
So,
we're going to honor Bear today. He uh
is a national champion, as I'll as I'll
say when I go through my proclamation.
But I also want to add that Bear has uh
been volunteering and he helped with our
veterans program and uh our event that
raised over $7,000 for our veteran
banner program. So yeah, he's doing
doing good things on the course and and
in life as well. So
whereas Joshua Dennis, finally known as
Bayer, 17-year-old resident of Harvey
and junior at Atlantic City High School,
has demonstrated outstanding dedication,
perseverance, and athletic excellence.
And whereas Bayer achieved a remarkable
first place finish at Ski Cross Junior
Men's age 17 to 18 at the 2026 United
States of America Snowboard and Three
Ski Association National Championships
held on April 6th, 2026 at Cooper
Mountain, Colorado.
And whereas the USASA National
Championships represent the highest
level of amateur age group skilled
competition in the United States. And
whereas fair Dennis earned his place at
nationals by winning the 2026
Mid-Atlantic Race Series in Ski Cross
for his eighth group. Proud he
represents the Blue Mountain free riders
at Blue Mountain, Pennsylvania,
competing in the USASA Mid-Atlantic
Series.
And whereas his additional
accomplishments include being two-time
qualifier for the USASA National
Championships in 2023 and 2024,
achieving top 20 finishes in both
appearances and previously qualifying
twice for the Pennsylvania Alpine Racing
Association state championships before
transitioning to speed cross. And now
therefore be it proclaimed that Bayer is
recognized and honored for his athletic
success. A member of the National Honor
Society Atlantic City High School and
participates on the ACS crew team, a
lifetime member of the BFW auxiliary and
is exemplifying leadership, scholarship,
and community commitment. Now therefore,
let it be resolved that the mayor and
board of commissioners do hereby
proclaim Thursday, May 7th, 2026 as
Joshua Bear Dennis Day.
Can you grab Can we grab a picture of
that?
>> Not often. Stock jersey has a ski
champion, national champion.
That is pretty
good.
Can you drop
>> and Commissioner Horn is going to stay
here because she has some promotions
with the police department and she's
happy.
>> Congratulations.
First, I'd like to thank everybody for
coming out tonight. I always say it's a
great day in the police department when
I can do some promotions and the two
promotions today are very welld
deserved. They are from vacancies from a
recent retirement. So, it's nice being
able to uh replace staff and with these
two award promotions, uh the future of
the police department, I know is in good
hands. Uh we're going to start with
Sergeant Janette Mercury. Janette was
hired in Margate in 2006. Forgive me if
I get a date wrong here or there because
I there's a lot of dates to remember,
but Janette was hired in 2006.
And I like to say when she was hired in
2006, she went right away because she
was utilized with the Atlantic City
Police Department and County
Prosecutor's Office with their street
crimes unit. So they went from the
academy to kind of doing some solid
police work right out of the gate. So I
always say that there was a credit to
Janette. Um she spent time in the dete
detective bureau in 2013 to 2017.
She was our first female detective in
the detective bureau. So today's a lot
of firsts. In 2018, she was promoted to
sergeant. She was our first female
sergeant. So today we'll have our first
female lieutenant in the history of the
police department. It makes me very
proud that she has gotten this far.
Janette is a lead instructor. So she's
in the schools all the time. She's a
hostage negotiator with the county, the
critical incident team. So again, she
comes wearing a lot of hats. She will be
a patrol lieutenant. I know she will do
a great job in her new duties. On a side
note, it's very ironic that I knew
Janette's brother because I was at the
police academy with him a long time ago.
So, it's full circle for me and I'm very
proud of her and she's done a great job.
So, come on up, JANETTE.
I, Janette Arur,
>> I Janette,
>> do solemnly swear
>> domly
>> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States
>> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States
>> and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey
>> and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey
>> and that I will bear true faith and that
I will bear true
>> and allegiance
>> to the same and to the governments
established in the United States
>> to the same and to the governments
established in the United States
>> and in this state under the authority of
people
>> and in this state under the authority of
people
>> I do further solemnly swear
>> that I will faithfully
>> impartially
>> and justly
>> perform all the duties of the office of
lieutenant
>> perform all the duties of the office of
lieutenant
>> of the Police Department of the City of
Morgate.
>> of the Police Department of the City of
Morgate,
>> New Jersey,
>> New Jersey.
>> According to the best of my ability
>> according to the best of my ability.
>> So help me God.
Don't cover the picture of yourself.
>> Yes. more pictures today.
>> Right here.
They have to be looking at
>> for the Instagram. It's gonna be
>> police department social media, didn't
you, Frank?
>> Had to be.
>> And for our second promotion, this one
uh is another great promotion. It's
funny because I have known Joe for for a
very long time. We actually grew up a
street away from each other. I grew up
on Quincy. He grew up on Pemrook. He
might not remember, but my father stole
with his father, a Brim Oldmobile, and
I'm pretty sure the trunk leaf. So,
don't hold that again. Don't hold that
against me. Joe was hired in 2002.
Um, he spent the first
>> seven seven
years um on the road. He got put in the
detective bureau in 2011. From 2011
until 2017, he was in the detective
bureau, worked on a lot of very good
cases throughout that time in the
detective bureau. In 2017, he was
promoted to sergeant. Went back on the
street. 2021, he's lieutenant. And in
2024, he was moved up into the front
offices to work on my staff as the
administrative division commander. Joe
has done a fantastic job. I tasked him
with all of my accreditation work. um it
can be very very uh involved. Um so
again, Joe does great at that. Again,
Joe through his time attempt, he's
worked um he's worked multiple positions
for us besides the accreditation
manager, field training officer,
internal affairs investigator, and his
plate is just going to get more and more
full. And a little side note, uh Joe is
second generation in the Margate city
police department. His father was a
police officer in Margate until his
untimekindly passing in 1990. So there's
a lot of history with Joe in the police
department with John. John was in the
police department and Mary, you've been
here forever.
Like I said, like I said, so it's a
great day. Like I said, it's it's great
to have him and I know Joe will do a
great job. So Joe and Resley, you want
TO
I, Joseph Scolian,
>> I, Joseph Scullion,
>> do solemnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States
>> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States
>> and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey
>> and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey
>> and that I will bear true faith and
allegiance.
>> And that I will bear true faith and
allegiance
>> to the same and to the governments
>> established in the United States
>> and in this state under the authority of
people
>> and in this state under the authority of
people. I do furoughly further solemnly
swear
>> I do further solemnly swear
>> that I will faithfully
>> impartially
>> and justly
perform
>> all the duties of the office of captain
of the police department
>> all the duties of the office of captain
of the police department
>> of the city of Margate New Jersey
>> according to the best of my ability
>> so help me God
>> congratulations
Start it. Start Johanna one more.
Yeah.
Sorry. What do you want?
Thank you.
Let's
just say
for you.
>> Yeah.
>> So again, congratulations to Joe,
Janette, and Bear. Uh it's a big day,
big day in Margate. Um, and while I
encourage everybody to stay, if anyone
would like to leave after that, you are
welcome to to leave.
>> And
they don't want to answer this.
How are you?
>> Good. Yep.
>> Hi.
All right, Ed, I hope you don't take it
too personally, but uh
>> I don't
>> not everybody on
>> I I am not Bear Dennis. I am just Ed
Dennis.
>> Okay, you begin with our engineering
report, please.
>> Thank you very much. Good evening,
everyone. Uh just a few updates for
today's meeting. Starting on page one,
jumping down to item E, which is the
Vent Avenue parking lot project. So, um,
as we recall, we did bid the project
twice um, with unfavorable results,
which allowed us to reach out to
contractors and to negotiate directly,
which we are wrapping up that process
unofficially. I can report uh, that the
quotes that we did receive are
substantially the same scope of work
with substantial savings approaching
$100,000. Um, so big savings going
through this process. um we just need to
review everything and for the next you
know meeting we'll have something uh
potentially to take a look at. So um we
seem to be heading in the right
direction on that project costwise. Page
two item K the lifeguard headquarters
expansion project. We did have a kickoff
meeting a couple weeks ago and we are in
the process of putting together the
initial concept plan for that project.
The Gladstone Avenue water tank. We did
complete our tank inspection on April
30th. So we are moving into bid
documents.
26 road program surveys complete base
plans are being put together and then we
will be able to move forward with
design. The uh same status on the
Brunswick Avenue beach bulkhead
replacement survey work is also
complete. Working on base plans there.
Um we did submit a grant application uh
for the remaining street end bulkhead a
uh beach block bulkhead access um
throughout the city to the CDBG program.
Uh we had applied to this program
previously for this project and we're
unsuccessful. So we're going to take
another shot at it.
Jumping over to our construction
projects. The Well project is now
substantially complete and I believe
those are all the updates for today's
meeting.
>> Great. Thank you, Ed. We'll now move to
our department head reports. Andrew,
would you like to begin, please?
>> Thank you, mayor.
Uh, today I just wanted to remind
everybody that beach tags remain on sale
at the Bloom Pavilion for $10, the
preseason price, through May 31st. Uh,
after May 31st, the price will go up to
$20. Um, we're preparing our pickle ball
and tennis courts to be open on Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday's weekends
beginning May 22nd, Memorial Day
weekend. Uh, in addition, uh, we plan to
have our breach beach transport service
available Memorial Day weekend, um, for
those that need assistance in getting
down to the beach. Uh, and then my staff
is working hard after a, uh, long winter
to get the our facilities prepped and
ready for Memorial Day weekend. That's
all I have, Mayor. Great. Thank you,
Mayor Armstrong.
>> Thank you, Mayor.
Uh, yes, the uh lifeguard force is busy
getting the lifeguard stands painted out
there. And thanks to public works, the
beaches look uh uh almost as nice as
Longports. Um the fire department, we
are getting ready uh to have our newest
firefighters out there. uh you'll be
welcoming him uh hopefully all certified
by the end and mid of June ready for the
summer season, but we're uh we're ready
for visitors.
>> Thank you, Scott. Mayor, we have a uh
ordinance provision here tonight. It
generated a lot of interest and
discussion regarding amending our
merkantill licensing. This is something
that you may I'm sure we're going to
hear comment tonight about it, but uh
after dealing with uh Andrew Miles,
myself, and Pat Moran, our city
administrator, uh we came up with this
proposal. This will address some of the
concerns that have been raised regarding
people coming in operating perhaps a
second business. I saw recently one of
our bar establishments, there's what
they even refer to it as a popup
business. This is a first step. I'm sure
as things progress, we'll probably amend
this ordinance again. Well, this will
not be the end all, but it's it's a
first step. There seems to be a lot of
concern about different types of
activities or businesses coming in the
city. Plus, had the assistance with
Chief Hackinson on this. Uh that's
basically what I have there. There's
another one, the uh end of Osborne
Avenue. I want you to take a look at
that. The owner, the man who built the
bulkhead, is ready to put the stairs in,
but he asked, "Do we really want the
stairs?" That's something I think you
guys were going to consider if we wanted
to wave that or not because we have a
beach handicapped access, which you you
could walk right through there. So,
discuss it, think about it. He does want
an answer. If you'll recall, he
purchased that uh strip of land between
the city prop line where the bulkhead is
and his property. Part of the deal was
we would hold that deed until all
construction work was accepted by the
city of Margie. So he would like to
finish, but he needs an answer and uh
it's something for you to give some
thought to. And that's it. That's what I
have.
>> Thank you, Pat.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh just busy all
around trying to get everything ready
for the summer. We fixed uh two water
leaks the last couple weeks, one sewer
collapse on the air [ __ ] and uh we
did the spring cleanup weekend. We
filled about total three dumpsters,
filled the trash, and now we're starting
to work on the beach, getting the mats
and the closures down and everything.
That's all I got.
>> Great. Thank you, Roger.
>> Thank you, mayor and commissioners. Uh,
last week was the purchasing conference
in Atlantic City. It was uh very
enlightening.
Also, the uh planning board meeting was
last Thursday. I think we had five cases
uh one pulled, I believe.
Next meeting is uh May 28th I believe
after after Memorial Day. And I have
Palma is not here. She had to go
somewhere. Uh but just wanted me to
report for her and that's actually a
joint uh response. The mass email went
out to contractors last Friday reminding
them of job site compliance requirements
including work hours, cleanliness,
sidewalk safety, and general job site
maintenance expectations as we approach
a busy summer season. In addition to
that, we also continue to receive
demolition permits and applications as
we get closer to June 15th summer
demolition moratorum. In the last month
alone, we have issued 12 demolition
permits, which is still amazing to me
how things are still going. Other than
that, there's nothing new to report.
>> Thank you, Chief.
Thank you, mayor, commissioners. Just a
few brief things on the agenda is the
addition of paid parking to include the
new city parking lot at 7901 Ventner
Avenue. I've been working with our
vendor, Park Mobile, to ensure it is
ready by Memorial Day weekend. Per the
ordinance, it'll be the same pricing as
Amherst Avenue and our two other parking
lots which are located on Benson Avenue
and Washington Avenue will be $1 per
hour up to 24 hours. It's a very nominal
fee, but again, it's again, we're going
to include the parking lot at 7901.
The installation of new lighting at the
city playground behind the police
station is complete. Solar lights were
put up to put a little more visibility
on that playground. There were some
complaints about the from the residents
about congregating juveniles there. So,
we put up some extra lighting to kind of
kind of defer that. We've been working
with public works uh to get the relief
cabanas installed for the summer season
along Ammerst Avenue. They seem to be
successful last year and again, like I
said, with with Pat's help, it it always
uh runs pretty smoothly. Uh to dovtail
off what Roger said, uh just a reminder
and we're going to be reminding all the
all the contractors that the dumpsters
are off the street starting Memorial Day
weekend that Friday before Memorial Day.
If they don't move them, the police
department will move them. And again,
sometimes a little bit hard to get them
moved, but guess what? We will get them
moved. Uh that's all I have. Great.
Thank you, Pat.
Good evening. Um
over the past couple weeks we had uh a
lot of different meetings, a lot of
things that we worked on. Uh I worked uh
we had to reorg uh finance for the most
part. Worked on the budget. Um we
finished up that's uh we had some u a
few little alterations this week. Um
citizen advisory board um listened to
some uh concerns at that. Uh the biggest
uh part of my my job this between the
meetings this last is the tequila
research listening to testimony and
stuff. Um and uh that came to a little
bit of a fruition um this past week. We
had a meeting with the neighbors. Um I
think it went well. Um but that remains
to be seen how um how we'll end up uh
being resolved at the end of that. Um
I'm very hopeful. Everybody was
positive. They left. Um it seemed like
everybody was liked each other at least
when they walked out the door. Um we had
some uh discussions and some research on
dredging. Um and we had some meetings
over the the past week for construction
zoning and of course finance reorg with
um Commissioner Blumbberg. Um couple
things that are on the agenda. One is
the ordinance for the popups. Um, I had
a discussion uh with uh Ed Burgerer
who's uh representative from our
business association. He had made some
suggestions. I did speak to the chief at
one point about that and I apologize
Scott because I didn't get a chance to
call you today because we were talking
about it. Um but um there is a a request
um and I don't know if Ed wants to be
heard um but it's a it's for um just to
add the the wording in paragraph B.
um at the end of that to say indoors
except for uh when the citywide uh
sidewalk sales are in effect.
Um that would mean that uh in the
traveling merkantile license that they
would go from place to place, but they
would stay inside primarily unless
there's a citywide uh yard sale or
citywide uh sidewalk sale.
Um that was u part of that that would be
up to you guys. And then I guess the
other question would be regard to the
stairs um at the uh the bulkhead. There
was some discussion as to whether or not
um the height of the bulkhead was
something that we were looking at. Did
we want to discuss that or did you want
to bring that up?
>> Well, we have uh two engineers here who
may disagree with me, but when you do go
down there, it's pretty high up. It's
over my head and it does have a boxing
in effect. Now, I know everybody feels
that what the bulkheads will protect us
from a storm, but I think that's why we
have the sand in. So, I don't know guys,
it's up to you. It's something that's
been kicking around for a long time. It
always depends on the elevation of the
street. If the streets at elevation six
and the requirement is elevation 13 for
a bulkhead, well, that's going to be a
lot different if the street elevation is
at 9 ft and it's at 13. Essex Avenue,
classic example, Bulkhead's about four
feet off the sidewalk. Rumpson Avenue,
it's about seven feet off the sidewalk.
So, it's just something you have to make
a decision. Perhaps we should just leave
it to the discretion of our engineers,
engineer, whatever. But that's something
you, the governing body, have to make a
final decision. You go down, you look at
it, it's a very different look than what
it used to be at Osborne Avenue. You
know, we're all we're all used to Rumson
Avenue, but now Osborne Avenue, too, and
then I guess other streets as we replace
these bulkheads.
It's not my final decision, though. It's
not my call. It's
>> That's why there
that was sort out. Um,
>> yeah, there it is. That's the topic.
>> That's all I've got.
>> Okay. Thank you, Pat. Johanna,
>> I just would like everyone to know that
primaries are June 2nd. Other than that,
I have nothing more to report.
>> Great. Thank you. All right. We will now
open up public comment. If anyone has
any comment for anything discussed
during workshop, please step forward.
>> Uh Ed Burgerer from the Margate Business
Association. I want to first say on the
ordinance in modifying the merkantal
license requirements. Uh we've been
waiting a long time to try and turn up
the volume on the pop-up problem that
we've been having in Margate. The fact
that it's getting so much attention this
year is very encouraging to the business
community and certainly to the MBA who
has been riding shotgun on this for so
long. I think that there are a couple of
issues with the ordinance as it's
written and I don't know if I
necessarily have, you know, the the
direct answers for it and as Pat said,
this may be something that may have to
evolve over a period of time.
The objection that I had initially that
he brought up about having it inside the
body of the individual business, having
a traveling merkante license, I think is
a great asset for our business
community, giving them the opportunity
to work with other businesses in town to
try and take advantage of the fact that
they have to make their money in such a
short period of time. So, I think that
from the heart, it's a great idea when
you see unfortunately the way these
things sometimes fall together. And I
gave an example in some of my
correspondents back and forth. I'll
quote one of them. Uh there was a retail
shop in town that made a deal with
Roberts to do a popup uh last year and
the year before. It happened to be uh
right next to another retail shop that
sold similar merchandise. I would hate
to be the enforcement person that would
have to go between those two business
owners when they were conflicting and
having a piece of paper in one of their
hands saying that the city endorsed them
doing it. So that was a problem from my
perspective in having the ability to go
ahead and use a traveling merkante
license on city property on city
sidewalks. So if you restrict it that if
you do indeed want to have a traveling
merkante license and utilize it with
another business in the city that it has
to either be within the confines of that
business or of course if they have a
parking lot or their own private
property. I would think that that would
probably work out as well. So I think
that that would be if you if you
adjusted it slightly that it would allow
you to avoid some conflict as far as
that's concerned. Another issue uh in
the ordinance that I see and I tried to
do as much research on this as I could
was you know the 8020 split that's being
mentioned in there. Um you know how you
going to monitor that? I have no idea.
It's not my problem. The business
community really from an NBA standpoint
has no skin in that game. You're talking
in a lot of cases I believe in service
businesses where you would be utilizing
an 8020 split. I think there could be a
sales tax ramification in there if
there's no POSOS system on site keeping
good track of what's going on and if the
company that is coming in to do these
services for you is not doing an
accurate job of that that I think you
can create a problem for the city. My
recommendation on that front would be
that when you have a situation like
this, for example, if the recreation
department wanted to run a yoga program,
either hire a yoga instructor and put
them on the playground or wherever you
want to put them in charge for it, you
know, or you know, my from a protective
standpoint, because I'm an unwavering
advocate for the business community, I
would say that you would take something
like that and say, I want to do a yoga
program and put it out to bid. let the
businesses in Margate that do yoga or do
exercise or do any of these services
have the same level playing field
opportunity to take advantage of uh
making money in a short period of time
on a city sponsored program. So that was
another one of my objections because it
doesn't really define that. Uh the third
part in a very similar vein was the
exercise programs on the beach. Um, I
think it's great to have exercise
programs on the beach, you know, uh, but
again, I have five gyms in town. Are we
going to be bringing people in from out
of town because they can go ahead and
get a use permit and pay a couple
hundred hours to do that on the beach?
Again, I would say if the recreation
department wants to do that or if the
city feels that that's a good activity
and they want to sponsor something like
that, again, say we're going to have
exercise programs on the beach. We've
got three different locations. They're
opening up. I would do it the same way
that you do the ice cream program. I
know it falls below from a dollar
standpoint the mandatory bid levels, but
it would also give everybody in town a
level playing field the opportunity to
bid on doing those type of programs
during the summertime. So, yes, 100% in
support of the traveling merkantal
license. Questionable on how you're
going to handle this 8020 split thing.
Not my problem, but could create
problems. And third, you know, my
feeling is is that if there's an
opportunity being created by the city or
sponsored by the city, that the first
opportunity to participate in that
should be offered to a merchant in
Margate that's paying their rent, you
know, 24/7, 365.
They should have the first shot at or at
least a level playing field for it. Um,
I also want to mention that we've been
shutting down pop down pop-up shops for
the last, oh, I don't know, chief 12
years, 15 years. It's always kind of
fallen on the police department through
us or through somebody else reporting to
them. And I know that ultimately that
it's not a public safety issue, you
know, it's a code enforcement issue, but
because of the way I guess code
enforcement allocates its resources
that, you know, it ends up being a
police department issue because
everything in the city ends up being a
police department issue at one time or
another if there's any kind of conflict.
So, you know, I I don't know whether
code enforcement's been beefed up more
for the summertime. you know, this would
certainly fall within their realm. Um, I
see that there are fines involved, you
know, in the ordinance should somebody u
not adhere to the letter of the law in
the ordinance, but I question how that
would be enforced and and who would be
responsible for it. You know, I know
that from my perspective on a weekend if
I'm driving down Vetner Avenue and I see
somebody setting up an art gallery in
front of a restaurant that I need to
call somebody. you know, um I can try
and get a hold of Roger, you know, on
the weekend, you know, but he's building
70 bill. He's got 70 construction
projects right now and his voicemail's
full, you know, by the time I by the
time I can get to him on on Sunday
morning. Hello. On Sunday morning, you
know, I mean, the pop-up's over. So,
again, I would be, you know, relying on
on the police department to go out and
at the very least try and make an effort
to close it down. I don't know if that's
the right way of doing it. I don't know
if we have to restructure it, but
certainly there should be for us in the
business community a very set um
protocol that we should follow if we run
into one of these problems. So that's my
story and I'm sticking to it. Thank you
very much and I hope you would give
serious consideration to making some
alterations in the ordinance.
>> Yeah. So thank you Ed. I just wanted to
uh touch base a couple things. Uh I
agree that we have been talking about
this for quite a while. So, it is good
that that we're making some progress.
And I want to uh also reiterate what Pat
said that it is a work in progress.
We're going to put something down
obviously, you know, uh be in touch with
the business community, see how it's
going and uh be willing to adapt it as
necessary. Um the amendment you proposed
so today is just if it uh gets
introduced, it's just introduced. It's
not adopted till our next meeting. So
any amendments can happen between now
and then. So, I think you know, me
personally, I'm sure the other
commissioners would agree, we'd like to
see that in writing, be able to look at
it in the context, and I'll be able to
make that decision. But, um, thank you.
Right. Do we have any other public
comment on workshop?
>> Yeah, Steve Jazaki, 112 North Lancaster
Avenue. Um, just curious, um, for the
parking lot, are we having EV charging
stations installed there?
So, we we do have um conduit included in
the project to allow for the
installation of EV charging stations at
some point, but they're not included in
this current package.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. So, Steve, I think we had talked a
while back uh we're required to either
have an EV ready spot or or have the
parking spaces. So, that's something Ed
and I have been discussing and you know,
we will advance in further discussions.
Kathy Heitzman, 22 South Adams Avenue.
Um, I have a question for Pat. He had
talked about the particular sunrise. Um,
can you give us some details about that
because it affects all of us,
not just the the the immediate
neighbors.
So um the meeting that we had we
discussed uh our zoning officer had
explained to us that with the way that
the u tequila had been altered um it's
now considered an indoor space. So that
changes some of the rules. Um in doing
so there were some um question as to um
whether the louvered roof was going to
be open closed the uh windows. Um, the
way it it looks, it it appears that
well, it doesn't appear. If the windows
are closed and the louvers are closed,
it's going to be considered indoor
space. Um, if there's still noise, we're
going to try to address it and see what
we could work on there. The owners had
talked uh to the neighbors. Um, they
promised to work on the trash. They
promised to work on the parking. Um, I
spoke to the chief about uh striping the
area for the uh zoning uh tomorrow
floating zone which will be done
tomorrow.
>> Um, and uh we we're looking at a couple
other options that might help out to
make sure that you know we prepare for
the summertime so that it's not um you
know an issue.
>> So will that 1000 p.m.
be enforced?
>> So the 10 p.m. I believe is for the
outside outdoor space. This will this is
now considered indoor space.
So, um, as long as the the louvers are
closed and the windows are closed, it's
considered indoor space. Um, you know,
the the owners advised they would work
with the neighbors and I'm it remains to
be seen, right? I mean, we haven't
really tried it yet,
>> right? So,
>> but they the roof is closed. They're
they're saying that they will close the
roof at 10 and the windows will be
closed and that should
>> um cut down on the amount of sound. If
it doesn't, then we're going to try to
figure out another um another area. I
give I've given all the neighbors kind
of my cell phone number, my card, so
that if there is an issue, I can go
maybe try to help them out.
>> Okay.
>> So, we're hoping that, you know, they're
good neighbors. If it is still too loud,
they were able to turn it down. if
there's some kind of experience, you
know, that they can they can work out
and and coexist. Uh,
>> okay.
>> Thank you.
>> Yep. Thank you, Kathy.
>> Hi, Liz O'Brien for South Monroe. Since
we're talking about it, uh, the Tequila
Bar. So, we had a meeting yesterday.
They made a lot of promises. I don't
know if those are they going to be
written down or is that memorialized?
Last time you said they could say things
that they weren't memorialized. We don't
have to hold them to it.
>> Well, I mean, we're we were at the
meeting. It's kind of a gentleman's
agreement at this point.
>> No, it's no written agreement. No, we
didn't. We chose not to go that route.
>> So, I was told to trust the process. And
since we left yesterday at 1:00 from
this room, the dumpster door still
hasn't gone down. I think they could
have just made one simple phone call to
a manager and said, "Hey, just close the
door." It hasn't been closed yet since
before yesterday. Um Brian Hilner's
>> Did you call Brian?
>> Car was parked. I was going to, but I
found it on my way here and I was late.
>> Um his car was parked in the loading
zone.
>> The stripes aren't there yet, but he
said no more personal vehicles there
except for today, I guess.
>> Well, just just to clarify one point, I
was going to have that painted today,
but there were delivery trucks in there
and I didn't want to have those delivery
trucks and have a possible situation
again. So, my traffic maintenance person
will be there at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning
to make sure that's painted.
>> No, I'm just saying Brian Hilner sat
here and said that there will be no more
cars. And you generously offered for the
city to paint the street. That's
amazing. But he literally today, right
when I was coming here, his car was
parked there. Um,
what was that thing? Uh,
>> but it's his business and sometimes he's
loading and unloading and it's a loading
spot.
Scott.
>> No, that doesn't apply to the owner of a
business. I mean, Liz, it gets almost to
the point where there's nothing. I mean,
seriously, he Yeah, he was there for
what, 5 minutes, 10 minutes?
>> I don't know. I just have a picture.
>> Okay.
>> It was literally yesterday.
>> Understood.
>> So, the other thing is literally
yesterday was the other thing with the
indoor versus outdoor. I know I sent an
email. I don't know who read my emails,
but um there were a lot of emails this
week. Um, but I found myself painting.
Sorry if you've already heard this
before yesterday, but inside of a closet
in the bedroom upstairs on the further
side of our building from the tequila
bar. So, away and in the back of the
building. I was inside a closet singing
along to the cranberries because a woman
was singing the cranberry song in the
bar with all the windows closed. and my
apartment. I was in a closed apartment,
doors, everything was closed. And I was
sing I was like happily I was like, "Oh,
I love this song." Singing thinking,
"Wow, I can every word."
>> You're in favor of the music.
>> I love the music. Thank god it wasn't
something else
>> cuz we're going to do the best we can.
>> I'm just saying indoor versus outdoor. I
can hear every single word inside of a
closet in a bedroom in the back of the
apartment on the other side of the
building from the bar. And it was during
the afternoon. It was just one lady, I
think, singing.
Imagine when the whole place is full and
it's a DJ Lassen.
>> We're working on it, Liz. We're doing
the best we can do. And I I do
appreciate the fact that you showed up
the meeting, met with them, you got
their phone numbers. Some commitments
were made. We'll see. We'll see how it
goes. I have a feeling
>> Don't think it would be fully resolved.
>> Push the dumpster door down.
>> Yeah. Well, it's, you know, it's a
commercial zone and you're 4 feet away
from their building. So,
>> it has nothing to do with the dumpster
door. The dumpster door we talked that's
like the simplest thing in the world.
They could have literally texted the guy
from the table here, the manager. I can
text him. I have his number now.
>> They're supposed to close the dumpster
door.
>> So, this is just I'm pointing out the
trend of things that they say they're
going to do
>> that they don't do.
>> That could have taken two seconds. I
could have gone over and shut down.
>> Yeah, you're right. probably should have
gone over and closed it.
>> If I was them and I was really
interested in working things out with
the neighbors, I would have probably
done like the simplest thing that I
could do that they've asked for right
away like that. Just close the dumpster
door. M
>> Mr. O'Brien, if you could just give me
his number. I'll call him after this and
have a discussion with him.
>> Who? The manager.
>> Uh who whomever that you got the number
for? Just have him shut.
>> Dana, send me the manager's phone
number.
>> Okay, that would be
>> if we could just give that to me. I'll
call him and discuss it with him where
>> I'm just pointing out that the owners
are not showing anything.
>> I I I agree with you. It's concerning.
Um I'm hoping hoping that it's just
something they overlooked maybe that in
a busy day everything they just said
they were going to do.
>> I I agree with you. I I'm not going to
disagree with you on that, but like, you
know, at this point, um, I'd like to
give them the opportunity to fail and
I'd like to just at least talk to them
and see if that was just maybe something
overlooked. Sometimes people forget
things.
>> I'm not excuses.
He was sitting here. If that was me, I
would have gone right over there and
just shut that door. The simplest thing.
And then I probably wouldn't have parked
there today, the very next day.
>> I would park down the street. I have to
park down the street all the time.
Absolutely see what you're saying.
Absolutely 100% see what you're saying
and I understand your frustration.
>> And then remember yesterday I was
talking about the uh piece of equipment
that they
>> we're on your property.
>> Put it. So I found the picture.
>> Okay.
>> So I want to know if anybody So they
were installing the windows.
>> I need to be able to have this record.
>> Why don't you meet with Liz afterwards
to discuss this so you can
>> Okay.
>> We can address it.
>> I just want to show the picture, Scott.
That's the picture. So, this is a big
truck in taking up two spots of my
driveway so that they can install their
windows. They never asked permission to
do this
>> three weeks ago
>> whenever they installed the windows. I
don't know.
>> Yeah, April. Um,
I just want to know if anybody here
would put a truck that size in their
neighbor's driveway
>> without contacting them.
>> It happened to me this week.
>> Really?
>> Yeah. My put on their new roof and they
parked in front of my driveway. So, you
guys should all move to the mainland cuz
this week at my house over there, all of
the trees with the dangling broken
branches, I had a tree guy that was
cutting down my neighbor's branches come
to my front door and say, "Hey, could I
park my truck in your driveway just for
like 10 minutes while I cut down these
couple branches? It'll be easier for me
to get them from there. And then if you
let me do that, I'll cut down the
branches on those two trees for you over
there for free."
So, that's a nice neighbor, nice
contractor.
I guess that's it for now. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Liz.
>> Good evening.
I've been a resident in Margate for 17
years.
>> Who are you?
>> Can you please state your name?
>> Mitchell Goldfield, 8 South Monroe
Avenue. Since April of 25, I've listened
to hundreds of residents complaints and
read hundreds of emails. I've listened
to their pleas to this board over and
over and over and over again. I've tried
to remain on this outside during these
meetings.
But what inaction and apathy and
disinterest I've seen from this board, I
felt compelled to speak on behalf of my
fellow residents and neighbors. All of
us worked hard to be able to afford
either primary residence or secondary
residence here in Margate.
to own a property to market is a
privilege, not a matter of right or
entitlement. Which seems to be the
stance of this board with respect to
Sunrise. One of the residents who has
pleaded with this board many, many times
as well as the police on countless
occasions
made the following comments to me. All
the residents here were here first
before Sunrise. Sunrise came into our
neighborhood. We didn't come into
theirs.
I ask all of you individually and
collectively since you graciously over
much protest and disscent granted
Sunrise the right to operate here and
since they have been and since they
began construction albeit contrary to
what you you granted and what they were
supposed to do, how many complaints have
you the board and Mr. Chief received
since that time? Any idea? Show hands.
How many complaints you've received
since then? Does the governing body here
mortgage? Is that something you should
know?
With regard to each of those complaints,
how many of those were actually acted
upon? Have a show of hands? Anybody?
There's a governing body here in
mortgage. Isn't that something you
should know? With regard to the
complaints that were actually acted
upon, how many where was a remedial
auction taken?
Anybody know?
Show of hands. You mean fine? I can't
just sit here take take this without
some kind of response. It's not hundreds
of complaints, but there's been a lot of
complaints. No one in this room voted on
that application.
Let me repeat that. Three, was it three
years ago or four years ago? No one in
this room voted on that application. But
we now have to deal with the problems
that a licensed bar establishment in
existence in a commercial zone expanded
and built new. Now you come up with
righteous indignation. We've had our
cops there 100 times. We have fined them
heavily heavily. I'm sure you're aware
the ABC is now involved and we're we
have an issue with the license. We have
met with them repeatedly. the windows
that the young lady just complained
about the truck being parked. That was
$176,000
at our request that they put windows in.
Now, maybe there were other reasons as
well, but that was something that they
didn't have to do. We've also come in
with the issue about the roof. We are
trying to stop it, but it is a
commercial zone property. We do have
bars and restaurants in Margie and when
we make a rule or a law it applies to
what do we got a dozen of them roughly
whatever it is it applies to all our
bars and restaurants. So yeah you can be
righteously indignant but believe me no
one here voted to approve that but it's
now on our table that that's true and
we're trying to resolve the issue. We're
trying to work with them. We can't wave
a magic wand and tear down their
building. That's not going to happen.
Court won't allow that to happen. But we
are trying to deal with the problem and
it has been a problem and it's been a
real pain in the neck for us. Ain't been
no joy, not a joy ride for us. Matt
Henson, his his police officers have a
lot more to do on a Saturday night in
July than go to Tequila. We're with you
on that. We actually are on the same
side. We're trying our best and they may
we may take further action with them. We
had a productive meeting here the other
day with some of the representatives of
the neighborhood. Hopefully they'll
abide by some of the commitments that
were made. If not, we'll continue
continue to find them. We'll continue to
impose sanctions on them in other ways.
So, we're trying our best. Was it Mr.
Golden? Was it Mr.
>> Goldfield?
>> Goldfield. So, so somebody has to say
this back to you because you're making
it sound like, well, we're just doing
nothing. We're just sitting on our
hands. And that's not true.
>> No, I'm not saying that, sir.
>> And and I I I listened to you and I
heard what you said.
>> All right.
>> And my comments are not out righteous
indignation.
>> I'm voicing my I'm voicing the
sentiments of my fellow neighbors who
have been here multiple times.
>> You sounded pretty righteous, didn't
you? But and meaning indignant with good
cause.
I always speak with good cause.
>> Well, you're a good speaker then.
>> I try. Um, may I finish?
>> I hope I didn't go out of line here, but
I can't just sit here and take a
>> and most of it comes my way.
>> I appreciate that, but I don't think I
need to be interrupted. So,
>> well,
>> um,
>> thank you.
>> I I heard what you said, but I disagree.
Um,
this board is in place to fairly and
objectively
represent all of the entire market
community, not to ignore their voices
and not to cuddle to a select few. not
to intentionally permit abject
favoritism and acquiescence in the
demunition of our property values
because the inaction to take your to do
your job
and take and take and take control of
the prerequisites that you should be
enforcing members. You need to do the
jobs you're empowered to do and to act
to do individual and collective jobs.
Not to turn deaf ear to long-standing
market tax residents. Not to ignore and
blatantly disregard the demands from
their council of your residents, which
by the way, when their council when our
council, which we hired towards last
fall, spent a considerable amount of
time and the residents banded together,
I think we were about 10 or 12 and spent
considerable dollars to appeal to this
board when he wrote his letter and
directed to the board. I believe in
December. to only be told at the last
meeting, I believe it was on April 16th,
that 4 months after that letter was
generated and delivered that one of you
members had indicated I had gotten I
didn't get to that yet. Huh?
In look at the tape, the 41626 meeting,
one of you responded that you had not
gotten to that letter yet.
I don't know. I got to challenge that
again. We've spent more time on Tequille
Bar than any other issue. Literally
hundreds of hours.
>> Yeah. But as an example, you said there
was this meeting on Wednesday and Louis
just came before you and indicated that
whatever was said and directed to the
Sunrise people were ignored again. And I
I think the
>> pulled the door down on the trash area
when she went back to her property.
You're right. They didn't do that that
quick.
We're going to look into that. Going to
call him up and see why he didn't do
that.
>> How many times do the residents have to
disrupt their day, their jobs, their
family or dinner scheduled to appear
again and again again at a 5:00 meeting
to try and repeatedly try to voice their
complaints but get veiled, apathetic,
disinterested reactions. I watched the
tape on the 16th and quite frankly most
of you look aborted in disinterest.
Finally, after months and months of
appealing to you fairness and
responsibility, the president seemed to
have gotten your your attention. I
believe in the April 16th meeting almost
a year after sunrise uh opened and the
infractions and violations began.
On behalf of my fellow residents, all
we're saying is please act. Do what
you're empowered and trust to do. Do
your collective responsibilities. All of
us, your long-standing residents, have
the absolute unequivocal right to the
peaceful enjoyment of our properties in
the Margate community, not to have that
peace breached, tranquil, public order
disrupted because of disorderly conduct,
disturbing the peace and public
disturbance, all to abject pandering and
avoiding your delegated
responsibilities.
I ask you and the board and you, Mr.
Police Chief, when the predecessors to
Sunrise, and this responds to something
you just said about the action you're
taking. When the predecessors of Sunrise
Monro Liquors and Southoun Pizza operate
at that location, how many complaints of
the ilk content and frequency of
occurrence that you're receiving now at
Sunrise did you receive in all those
years at Bon Monroe Liquors at South
Opera?
>> I wasn't here then. I don't know.
Anybody that was here then during the
time that Monroe Liquors and Southounn
Pizza operate that location, how many
times did you receive the number of
complaints, the frequency and ilk of the
ones you're receiving now, the Sunrise
Open back in April 20 25?
I didn't think you'd have a response.
On behalf of my fellow Margate
neighbors,
how many calls, how many complaints do I
have to make to get your attention to
act?
I implore you the governing body of
Margate to do your jobs that you're
entrusted and powered to do by the
community who have the privilege of
residing here with the ongoing
expectations that their sacros and
violent rights, the peaceful enjoyment
of the properties and the preservation
of the property values which they work
so hard to to protect will always be
protected and preserved by you, the
governing body, their voice. Thank you
for your time and attention.
>> Thank you.
Any
more public comment on workshop?
>> Janet McCarron, 8801 Amherst Avenue. Um,
I hear everybody's concerned about
Sunrise. I totally hear it all and it
must be terrible. But if you just had
the meeting yesterday and talked to the
owners, I in my heart believe that Brian
being born and bred here through every
program Marget ever offered with the
windows and everything else is going to
try and do his best to correct all this
stuff. But I do think that maybe we
could give him like a 3-day window since
he just had a baby two days ago. Maybe
that's why the trash wasn't covered. I
don't know.
But I also came to my attention that for
the past 75 years that that building has
been there on a handshake, every single
neighbor has been allowed to put their
trash into the dumpsters or trash cans
located behind the establishment for the
past 75 years. I don't and I I feel very
strongly that that handshake still
continued with the new owners. So I
don't know, maybe another neighbor went
by and left that open this morning. But
regardless, I can't believe that Brian
would not close it if he had been there
this morning. It could have been some
employee early morning, whatever. So, I
truly hope it all gets corrected because
it's got to be a pain. I understand that
in the noise and all, but I really
believe that he would do anything he can
to correct that. All right. Thank you.
Okay,
>> real quick. Ed Burger again. I I was a
little laser focused on another issue. I
just wanted to uh a quick thank you. We
had our Terry Wson Festival this past
weekend. A lot of work went into it. I
want to thank certainly our guys, public
works and public safety, chief of police
is here. Um uh it was a great event. I
know that a couple you guys got to
attend it. Uh it's turning into one of
my favorite events in Margate. Cherry
Blossom Festival was wonderful. Again,
not something that we ever could have
possibly done without the full
cooperation of the city. So, thank you
very much for that, especially to your
guys. Thank you.
>> Okay.
>> Is there a motion to close public
comment on workshop?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn?
>> Yes.
>> Is there a motion to adjurnn?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes. Commissioner Blumbber.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn. Yes.
>> We will proceed as soon as we are ready.
>> Are you ready, Joanna?
>> 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 to Ice 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,
>> here.
>> Is there a motion for the approval of
the April 16th, 2026 regular and
workshop meeting minutes?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn?
>> Yes. We will now have public comment for
resolutions and ordinance adoption only.
So anything that's on today's agenda, if
anyone has any comment, please step
forward.
>> Does that include the budget?
>> Uh we will have a budget open budget
hearing where you can comment on the
budget.
Is there a motion to close public
comment on resolutions and ordinance
adoption?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbber.
>> Yes. Commissioner Horn.
>> Yes.
>> Johanna, will you proceed, please?
>> May I have a motion for ordinance number
6, 2026, an ordinance amending chapter
257, traffic vehicle and traffic of the
code of the city of Margate City, County
of Atlantic, state of New Jersey.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn,
>> yes. May I have a motion for the
introduction of ordinance number 7-2026
an ordinance amending chapter 1 183
merkantile license licensing of the code
of the city of Margate city county of
Atlantic state of New Jersey motion
>> second.
>> May I have a motion for the adoption of
ordinance
>> I'll make the vote.
>> Oh
Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg. Yes.
Commissioner Horn.
>> Yes. May I have a motion for the
adoption of ordinance number 5-2026
bond ordinance approving
bond ordinance providing for phase two
of lead water service line replacement
project by the city of Margate city
county of Atlantic New Jersey
appropriating 2,500,000
thereof and authorizing the issue of up
to $2,500,000
aggregate principal amount bonded or
notes of the city of Margate
County of Atlantic State of New Jersey
to finance the cost thereof.
>> Motion
>> second.
>> Mayor Collins,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Horn,
>> yes.
>> May I have a motion for resolution
number 96-2026?
Authorizing the provinial provisional
change in the title for Amy Stober to
chief financial officer.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins. Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg. Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn.
>> Yes.
May I have a motion for resolution
number 97-2026
authorizing 2026 municipal budget of the
city of Margate City County of Atlantic,
state of New Jersey, read by title only.
>> Motion
>> second.
>> Mayor Collins,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg, yes.
>> Commissioner Horn,
>> yes.
I would like to now open up
to the public for the public hearing on
2026 municipal budget.
>> Yes. So before any questions would you
like to
>> you're up to bat?
>> Yes. Tonight is the public hearing for
the 2026 budget and it's the time for
the public to make any comments they'd
like to make and we'll certainly answer
any questions that are brought up. It is
the same budget that you introduced back
on April 2nd maybe um I think it was
April 2nd meeting. There is a tax
increase of 1.9 cents and if you've been
reading the papers it's one of the
lowest ones you've seen. There's fours 5
6 7 8 9 cent increases all over the
place in Atlanta County. So you're
you're well within the state spending
cap and levy cap. You could spend if you
wanted to another million6 and you have
in a levy cap bank of a million2. So
you're far below all the state levels.
Uh there's many towns that are scraping
to get by on these two caps. It's from
years and years of financial stability
that you have these two caps banks in in
the caps. So all in all, uh the fund
balance did go up a little bit, but
we're using more than it went up by to
balance this budget. uh by no means an
excessive amount. It went from 5,081
to 5,ion5
and
your ratables increased a total of $60
million which is another good thing. So
all in all it's a very good budget, very
sound budget and one of the lowest tax
increases around.
>> Thank you Leon.
>> So we'll now take any questions from the
public.
Kathy Heitzman, 22 South Adams Avenue,
Margate. I come from a long line of New
York City firemen and policemen and I
respect them and you know you I come to
these meetings for safety and so on, but
I do have a question about the budget.
Um I wondered if we are hiring more
policemen than firemen this year.
Anybody know? No,
>> I I have less than I have other years.
>> Okay. Thanks, Matt. Um because my
question to you is this. When you look
at the budget last this this 2025 year
was 4,314,000
for the police. It's gone up to
4,600,000
which is a little around $250,000.
The same thing for the fire. And I
wondered,
is it new trucks? what what do they have
that exorbitant amount for? When I look
at everything else on the budget,
>> and I don't see that kind of an
increase,
>> if I may, our sorry, our uh manpower has
stayed the same. Uh our two new
firefighters this summer are replacing
two retired,
>> right?
>> Uh I think the uh cost of doing business
services and health care is a major
contributor to all of our increases.
>> Well, part of the health care is paid by
If you
>> Yes,
>> you pay a percentage of We don't pay for
all.
>> Correct. We pay a large,
>> but I mean, we're talking $250,000 in
each one. I mean, we're not talking 25.
We're not talking And as I said, I I am
a firm believer of firemen and
policemen. As I said, I come from a long
line.
>> You went up 250,000 for 35.
>> Fire truck of five years ago was
400,000. It's 1 point 1.3 equipment. you
know, do we need to upgrade equipment?
I'm with that. I have no problem with
that.
>> So, there's updates in equipment in all
aspects of the city. Um there's
replacement for vehicles that need to be
replaced. There are vehicles that are
taken out of line. Um
there's salary increases um that we're
we're given that are in line with uh
with most of the county. But when I look
through the rest of the budget and I
look through the other departments, as I
just stated, I don't see that kind of an
increase. And I just wanted to
understand why it is. And if you can
explain it to me, fine.
>> The public safety is the most expensive
salaries. There's no doubt about it in
every single town, not just Morgate.
>> Their contracts are negotiate it. Uh
possibly go to arbitration, but you did
not go to arbitration on any of yours.
You settled. No, but the thing of it is
you didn't you didn't add people. If
they were adding policemen, if you were
adding firemen, I I could understand
that.
>> Okay, let me give you an example. Let's
just say he's not the chief. He's a
patrolman right now. And he was making
62,000. They go up in steps. They go
>> I understand.
>> Okay. So, you might go from 62 to 70.
That's $8,000 increase. These numbers
mean nothing other than the procedure
that happens.
>> Yeah. But our our chiefs, our fire chief
and our police chief each make $194,000.
>> That's excellent. And I don't if it if
it's worth it, it's worth it. But
>> I I just want to know where you're going
to spend that money
>> and what happens to that money if you
don't spend it back the Margate coffers.
Yes.
>> So that we can spend it on something
else that we need.
>> For instance, having somebody enforce
smoking on the beach.
>> Yes. So Cath Kathy, I think, and a lot I
get asked this question often. We used
in this budget $5.5 million of surplus
to fund the budget to get to the point
where we have our uh our increase. We
need to make up 5.5 million or more in
surplus over the course of this year to
keep maintaining. So, and it's a
constant cycle. When I first stepped
into this seat, I was under the
assumption because you hear Margate has
a $9 million surplus. I'm just thinking
we have $9 million in the bank that we
can do whatever we want with. Well,
that's not not the case. And um so uh so
we obviously have to be uh cautious with
all of that. These costs if you look at
um direct employee cost, which are uh
healthcare, salaries, pensions, all of
that, we are in line with what we've
been historically the same within half a
percent um o over previous budgets.
That's one of the things I look at when
I'm analyzing as we as we move forward.
So, um, as we see increases in in these
budgets, especially in our public
safety, they are they're typical of what
it is year-over-year, as we have, again,
there's promotions, there's uh increased
health care, all of those things. The
the city does pay the majority of the
the health care for the employees. So,
that is a significant um significant
chunk of change. It's not the employees
still do pay
>> a a good amount themselves. And um you
know, as Pat said, as he's negotiating
with with all of our unions and all of
our individuals, um you know, I think
I'd like to say we all are on the same
page where we say we want our employees
to be paid fair and uh I think we offer
the best services of any town um that
I've ever been a part of or ever even
seen. And I think we're grateful for
that. So, I think um we look at this, we
try to uh be fiscally responsible. We
try to keep costs as low as possible
always. Um some of these are just
contractual things that again we don't
necessarily have control of and we're um
we're working with and trying to offset
other things uh to make it um work for
the public.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Good, good evening, Sam Lashman, Hanover
Avenue. Uh, mayor, based on your remark,
I have a question. Forgetting about the
surplus,
do we actually have a cash reserve? What
is that? That that's the net balance of
what we need for a rainy day or
something like that.
>> That's what the surplus is.
>> But we don't have $5 million in a piggy
bank. We have a cash reserve or we do
>> the cash is higher than what's the cash
is higher than the amount of the fund
balance because there are other things
are involved with it but it is all
invested and making money
>> is the net is the total reserve 5
million.
>> No it's more than that.
>> Okay. What what do you know what it is?
>> The total cash reserves
and they're not spendable.
So when we do a bond and we have to
encumber a fund for anything, we have to
have the money on hand to do it. So
there's money that's invested that has
not been spent.
>> 26 million is in all accounts all over.
Yeah.
I understand you have to make payroll,
you have bills, so the money comes out
of the cash account, but uh is there
there's a a reserve fund or uh reserve
for liability or just extra money that
we're saving in case there's an
emergency.
>> That's the the fund balance itself is
that reserve
>> 5 million.
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> Yep.
>> And it's I understand it's invested. You
just can't go to the bank and take it
out in one check or cash in the CDs or
>> a lot of budget rules that we have to
comply with.
>> Okay. But it is there.
>> It is there.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Yep. Thank you.
>> Any other questions on the budget?
I would just like to add because I again
I feel like we do hear this often. Um
Leon had mentioned uh $60 million in new
ratables and everybody uh the common
theme is what do we do with that money?
Uh and um I've tried to to point this
out at various times when it has come up
during our meetings, but that 60 million
amounts to 1.47% of an increase. So we
do see all this construction. Um we do
wonder where the extra tax dollars are
going. It the 1.4% 4% is um is not
enough to sustain the year-over-year
increases in all of our expenses. So
that's why in addition to that increased
valuation, we do see a tax increase uh
from time to time.
>> Can I go one comment? So I know we we
had talked about employee contributions
to insurance. Just wanted to kind of
give people an idea of where that
stands. um all of our employees pay a
percentage towards their healthcare. So
an average uh say an officer or fireman
making $100,000 or say 75,000 is kind of
more of the average right now with with
the amount of people we have. So if that
guy or that that officer gets a 4%
increase
after the increase in insurance costs
and everything else be an average of $41
more in their paycheck
per paycheck. So I just wanted to kind
of put that in perspective and that
would be a 4% and um for the first
couple years these you know the
employees here did not get 4%. So, we're
just trying to give an idea of what
aspect to take a look at. Our health
insurance did go up like 19.26%.
I know it was estimated at 18 at one
point, but it's up it's up a little bit
higher. It might even be 19.29. But, um,
you know, I just wanted to give you guys
a perspective. you know, someone who's
who's making 100,000 and maybe gets
promoted or moves up to 100, you know,
goes up to the 104,000 because of the 4%
increase, they actually lose $6 in their
pay. So, um I know that in the past, and
I was part of the crew years ago, um in
public safety, we were we got our
insurance and we didn't have to pay
anything towards it. Now, there's a
percentage and it's based upon what
everybody makes. So in order to
maintain, you know, a good quality
workforce, you sometimes have to to give
a little bit. So I just want to make
sure that everybody understood as far as
the uh health insurance goes. Thank you.
>> And and we have a responsibility to the
taxpayers and to our employees to keep
those health care costs down. And as we
just had a 19% increase, we're actively
looking at ways to get that number down
and save. Um, obviously going into this
budget, we were not there's there's not
a solution for us at this point. I
believe June or July is when um and
Pat's actively working to to try to uh
again get that down both for the city
and for our employees.
Okay, with that, Johanna, would you like
to proceed, please?
>> Sure.
>> Okay. May I have a motion to close the
public hearing on the mun 2026 municipal
budget?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn.
>> Yes.
>> May I have a motion for resolution
number 98-2026
to amend budget?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg.
>> Yes. Commissioner Horn.
>> Yes. May I have a motion for resolution
number 99 2026 adoption of municipal
budget which
is the amount of 28 bill52,000
five $57362
for mun municipal purposes
for the amount of 12 bill
12 bill800
68,59
for school purpose tax and for the
amount of
$2 bill26,120
for library tax.
>> I just like to correct those billions to
millions so that we like
>> they're all new numbers. Sorry.
million motion.
>> Second.
>> Sorry about that.
>> Um,
>> Mayor Collins,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg, yes.
>> Commissioner Horn,
>> yes. May I have a motion for resolution
number 100-2026?
A resolution of the city of Margate
City, county of Atlantic, state of New
Jersey, authorizing the filing of an
application for a short-term
construction loan from the New Jersey I
Bank under the construction finan
financing program and authorizing the
issuance of a construction loan note in
connection there with
for the phase two of the lead water
Service line replacement project.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn.
>> Yes. May I have the motion for
resolution number 101 2026
resolution of the city of Margate in the
county of Atlantic, New Jersey
determining the form and the other
details of its note relating to the
construction financing program of the
New Jersey Water Bank to be issued in
the principal amount
of up to 2,500. $00,000
and providing the issuance and sale of
such notes to the New Jersey
Infrastructure Bank and authorizing the
execution and delivery of such note by
the city of Margate in favor of the New
Jersey Infrastructure Bank. All pursuant
to the water bank construction financing
program of the city or of the New Jersey
Infrastructure Bank. Motion
>> second.
>> Mayor Collins,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg, yes.
>> Commissioner Horn,
>> yes.
>> May I have the motion for resolution
number 102 2026 authorizing bill payment
and claims? Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn?
>> Yes. May I have a motion for the consent
agenda which consists of resolution
number 103-
2026 through resolution number 113 2026.
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins. Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumb. Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn.
>> Yes.
>> Thank you, Johanna. I know that was not
easy.
>> That was a tongue twister. Sorry.
We will now open up public comment. If
anyone has any comment on any item at
all, please step forward.
>> Sorry, this is it. I promise. Kathy
Heisman, 22 South Adams. My question is
to especially to Chief Hankinson, God
bless him. Uh, what are we going to do
about the what is the plan for the
electric vehicles and the bikes and how
are we going to implement what Governor
Murphy put in?
to effect. Do you have a plan for us?
>> I would be happy to speak with you after
the meeting.
>> Sure. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Kathy.
>> Uh Steve is at Lancaster Avenue. Uh this
is in regards to the Cherry Blossom
Festival. Um I want to give a big shout
out to the MBA for organizing. They do a
splendid job of just organi getting
everybody from the police to the public
works,
everything organized. as the chair of
the sustainable market uh green team. Uh
we had 13 environmental vendors that
were able to educate the people on the
different things from little critters
that are in the water system to uh
native plants, trees,
electrical equipment, uh battery
operated equipment. And I just want to
say thank you for all you guys that have
uh did such a great job. It was a really
nice success.
>> Thank you, Steve.
>> Sustainable row is a big big part of
that festival and I think it took me
about 2 hours to make it 50 ft uh as
Sher can attest. So,
>> any other public comment?
>> Steven Alman 9003 Amherst Avenue Market.
Uh just a quick question clarification.
At the last meeting, Mayor uh um
Commissioner uh Blumbberg raised the uh
issue about looking at uh tapes or film
of the planning board. Uh was that
accomplished? And were there any
promises actually made at that time uh
that you folks are a aware of and
concerned about tequila
uh bar?
Yes. And Yes.
Um the the the biggest thing again like
you said, we we had our meeting um
yesterday. Um
you know, there's no denying what was
said and what was not. Um and
unfortunately like there were things
that were looked at in a different light
because it was considered an outdoor
space. Um
since then we've kind of moved on.
They've gotten their um their fines and
they've gotten um their issues and
they've they've been addressed to that
so far. We're still working on the
trash. We're still working on um some of
the noise in the parking areas. Um
that's stuff that we're going to move
forward with and try to make sure that
everybody kind of complies and becomes
you good neighbors. Um we're hoping that
that this all works or moves in in the
right direction. But yeah, painstakingly
yes, I I went through that whole thing.
Yes. Yes, sir.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Steve.
Sam Lashman, 119 North Hanover. Uh, I
just want to add to what I uh was sort
of asking about at the budget. Uh, I
think Margate and Brigantine are
probably the two or higher. I don't know
if we're two out of the three or the two
highest in Atlantic County. Everybody, I
think, is happy to live here that lives
here. I think financially the city is in
good shape. I think some of the
questions maybe uh the numbers aren't in
front of people so they're questioning
things without seeing maybe by
department public works public safety
what the increases are what the capital
budget is and maybe those are some of
the questions
uh I know there's a simplified budget
somewhere I don't know if it's posted
maybe that can answer some of the
people's questions but uh it is a
challenging time I think healthc care
everybody knows is going up. That's a
driver of increases. Other than that, uh
>> again, I'm happy. I think most people
are happy to live here that are living
here. Uh not nothing is perfect. We're
hearing some uh issues, but uh hopefully
they'll be taken care of. So, uh thank
you for the things that you're doing. uh
some of them uh everybody
uh is enjoying financially
uh the other things hopefully uh will be
worked out. Thanks a lot.
>> So Sam, just to clarify, you're saying
Margate and Brigantine are the highest.
What are you referring to?
>> I think in ratables Margate and
Brigantine maybe Egg Harbor Township. Uh
even Atlantic City might not be as high
as uh some of the other cities since
they've taken out the casinos.
Ocean City years ago I think uh
>> base you mean
>> base uh I don't know if it's four to six
billion dollars uh Ocean City I think
and Sele and Avalon
have had bigger increases over the last
20 or 30 years but uh Margate is up
there. Burggantine is up there. So uh
>> you know that's who the comparison is
with. I'm happy to say we're the we're
the highest uh we have the highest
equalized ratio equalized ratables in
the county um around $8 billion. Um and
we also have the lowest effective tax
rate for uh any full service
municipality. So I think again that's a
credit to
>> since you mentioned those magic words of
uh equalized ratio. I know the county
executive is talking about uh having a
county assessment plan. the ratio does
keep things in line for each city. So I
don't think that's an issue that we're
paying uh
different amounts. I think it's uh the
statistical variation of people might
not be the same, but I think we're
paying our fair share as compared to all
all the other cities or or we're paying
probably more than other cities in
Atlantic County. And uh I think the only
>> the other way
>> benefit that we're really getting is
Atlantic Avenue is a county road. I
don't know what else the county is doing
for Atlantic City. Maybe there's some
parks, but uh
>> Ver
and Jerome Avenue roads.
>> So other than that, uh
I don't think we're relying that heavily
on county services.
>> Yeah. And I do think, you know, as I met
with Leon to discuss the budget this
year and we went through it, I I do
think everybody likes to talk in terms
of cents. So we have a 1.94 cent
increase, but when you consider our
equalized valuation valuation, it's
actually under a penny is is what we're
uh what our increase is. So I think
that's um you know something to note for
the people that speak in that language.
No, I'm happy, but I'm just saying I
think people uh without seeing the
numbers or the simplified budget have
questions and then uh there's not really
uh
something that says healthc care is up
19%. Which the business administrator
pointed out that's explains a lot if you
have capital things that explains big
jumps. So, thank you.
>> Great. Thank you, Sam.
Is there a motion to close public
comment?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn?
>> Yes.
>> Is there a motion to adjurnn?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn?
>> Yes.
>> Have a good night everybody. Thank you.
You too.
>> Great job, Joanna.