Margate City, NJ Workshop & Commission Meeting February 19th, 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. A copy of the annual
meeting notice was sent to the press of
Atlantic City
star ledger posted on the bulletin board
in the municipal building, the municipal
website, and filed in the office of the
municipal clerk. Please turn off all
cell phones.
>> Please stand for the pledge of
>> allegiance.
Attention. So I pledge algiance 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, will you take the role, please?
>> Mayor Collins,
>> here.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg,
>> I am here.
>> Commissioner Horn here.
>> Welcome everybody. Uh Ed, we will begin
with the engineering report, please.
>> Thank you, mayor. Good evening,
everyone. Uh I'm just going to touch on
the projects that have updates on my
report tonight. So, starting off with
item A, which is our citywide dredging
project. Uh there has been some private
uh property dredging happening over the
last month or so. The uh window for
dredging um will be ending on March 1st
um and then it'll open back up on June
30th. The update on this is we do have
some followup paperwork we need to do
with the Bureau of Thailands related to
our dredging project. So, we're just
submitting some updated application
information to them. Um, so that's our
update on dredging. Jumping down to item
E, the Veterary Avenue parking lot. Uh,
we did rebid that project and we did
receive one bid. The bid was over the uh
engineers estimate. So, we're taking a
look at the bid that came in and we will
also have the opportunity, if we so
choose, to negotiate directly with
contractors now that we've bid the
project twice. Um, so we're just going
to evaluate where we landed with some of
those numbers and, uh, we could discuss
how we want to proceed with that
project.
Turning the page, uh, just a couple
updates. The lead service line
replacement project um continues to be
in progress and we are working on some
updates to the city's website for the
lead service line section. So, we
continue with our public outreach
efforts. At the same time, we've started
our work and uh on phase two of the lead
service line replacement project. The
reason for that is the city qualifies
for more or less grant money every
fiscal year through the iBA and we want
to make sure we capitalize on that grant
money each fiscal year. So, we have a
timeline that we need to hit in order to
secure that funding. So, we're working
on getting phase two um out to bid and
awarded before that deadline so we can
secure that. Um it's a million dollars
in grant funding uh for this project. Um
item K is the local recreation
improvement grant which was submitted to
the DCA uh for a shade structure.
Jumping down to our construction
projects.
Uh on page three, uh the uh Atlantic
Avenue um project from Huntington to
Mansfield is is now in progress. Well 10
also in progress and our 2025 road
program, the contractor is putting the
schedule together for that work. And
those are my updates for this week.
>> Great. Thank you, Ed.
>> We'll now go to our department head
reports. Uh Chief Adams, would you like
to begin, please?
Thank you, mayor and commissioners. Um,
just a couple things. One, uh, the fire
department is actually in the process of
starting our annual, uh, SCBA fit
testing, uh, today, actually. But we do
this in coordination with Vetner and
Longport, so we can share the cost of
renting the machine versus us renting it
ourselves. So, we rent it for a month,
we share the cost evenly amongst the
three communities, and it does save us a
little money. Um, we're also in the
process of starting our annual or I
should say specifically our required
annual training of different things that
we have to cover. Um, we are working on
that. Um, I do want to say thankfully we
finally got a little slow up with our
water leaks and um, between the fire
department, public works and and
everybody involved, it's been a really
long month of water leaks and damage to
property. And I can't stress it enough,
and those who have been at the meetings
on a regular basis, I say it every month
at every meeting about making sure that
you have the water shut down to your
property to asssure that you're not
going to freeze up. The amount of damage
that we've seen this year far exceeds
any other year that we've had water
damage to homes. And it's stuff, a lot
of that could have been prevented with
just some normal maintenance that could
have been done to prevent it. So, I will
say that um looking at this weekend, we
are looking at potentially 1 to three
inches of snow Sunday night into Monday.
That's still a very questionable area.
Once we get additional reports, we'll be
sure to get them out to everybody
because it could change. The storm
shifts a little and does something, we
could have a change and who knows what
the outcome could be. But, we will stay
on top of that and make sure that we get
that out on our social media platforms.
One last thing, it's kind of a
housekeeping issue with our GIF and I'll
be working with um Johanna to take care
of this. We missed um taking care of I
missed taking care of our uh clean
position and doing a resolution for it.
So, with your approval, we'll have it on
the next agenda for the March meeting so
we can make that appointment and make
sure that's in place so we're in
compliance with everything for the J.
Okay.
>> And that's all I have. Thank you.
>> Great. Thank you, Chief Dominic.
Um, we've been pretty busy with calls.
As uh, Chief Adam said, uh, we we
probably received well over 200 calls in
the past two weeks. It's pretty it's
been pretty crazy. Uh, majority of them
being water leaks, uh, that us and the
fire department have handled. Um, we've
had like five water repairs in the
street in the past two weeks and we've
been prepping for our snow. So, getting
ready, maybe getting some, uh, see see
if it's coming or not. But, uh, as Chief
Adam said, this has been probably the
coldest winter we've had. Uh, maybe
opening some eyes about winterizing
people's houses that aren't going to be
around, so hopefully there's uh, less
damage next year. Thank you.
>> Great. Thank you, Palma.
>> Good evening, mayor and commissioners.
Um, the building department continues to
receive fire department reports on all
of these water leaks. We've been
reviewing each one of them to see if any
follow-up is needed on our end. And if
it is, we'll notify the property owner
by mail to explain what may be required.
And that would be either permits, a
certification from either an
electrician, plumber, or sometimes the
fire suppression system
or inspections.
Um, so we kind of review each one to see
what it would require. I'd also like to
thank the fire and public works
departments for their continued efforts
on these incidents. I can't believe how
many there have been. It has to be a
record, but
That's all that I have.
>> Great. Thank you. Roger.
>> Thank you, mayor, commissioners. Uh
there's a planning board meeting next
week. We have four cases. Uh nothing
extraordinary, no sight plan, just uh
one of the day variances. Our ice cream
vending contract will be advertised
within a week or two. It'll be for a
one-year contract. So, next year it'll
expire with the iced coffee contract.
and we'll advertise those together
congruently as separate contracts next
year for a two-year contract probably.
And also the flood damage prevention
ordinance. We're working on updating
that to reflect the new state's
requirement uh of BFE plus 4 plus
another foot on top of that. And again,
most of the homes that have the parking
below will comply with the new state
regulations, but we have to look at the
other uh items that the state is
actually changing the base flood from
FEMA. And your flood insurance is still
going to be based on the FEMA maps, but
your your rating will be based on your
first floor elevation, which be much
higher from the state. And
uh I'm working with some other towns
also to make sure we're all kind of on
the same page. And as you might be
aware, there's three or four counties
that are suing the state over these new
rules and regulations, which basically I
I would support that litigation. It was
not done by ex it was done by executive
order versus legislature approval, but I
don't want to go too much further into
the weeds in that, but uh that's it for
tonight.
>> Great. Thank you, Roger. You're welcome,
Pat.
>> Good evening. Um my report uh for the
last couple weeks has been uh met with
uh our engineer regarding possible
upcoming projects, proposals. Um
recently met with a transportation type
of company for summer suggestions for
some additional possibilities to to move
people around during the summertime. Um
I've been in negotiations with all three
major unions, the PBA, the FMA, and the
MCA. Um, I'll be giving an update on
that later in close session. Um, we had
some uh insurance related matters that I
spoke with uh Mr. Barker about. Um, he
he may be showing up here shortly. um
met with labor council solicitor
regarding personnel issues, legal
issues, and uh we're continuing our
efforts to update our city website, make
sure that we get our most up-to-date
information and um updates with our u
with our website out there. Uh I'd also
like to introduce uh Mr. Blay. He's
filling in for uh Mr. Abbott who's not
available um for now. Um but um he will
be available uh via telephone if we
needed him.
>> Great. Thank you, Joanna.
>> Uh there's not much going on in the
clerk's office right now. We're still
receiving merkantail license
applications and dog licenses are
available for those people who have dogs
in the city of Margate.
And I would like everyone to know that
we are now going to be posting our legal
advertisements on our website. There is
a link on the front page that you will
be able to go right to what the legal
ads are. That's it.
>> Great. Thank you. I'd now like to call
uh Rich Tullson up just to say a few
words. Rich is the chairman of our
citizens advisory committee.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor and commissioners.
I don't come here tonight on behalf of
the citizens advisory committee. I come
here on behalf of the Margate Community
Church to personally thank the city
leadership and all the department heads
um for your expertise, your support,
your cooperation a couple weeks ago um
when we almost lost that steeple. Um so
um we got it contained. Um we identified
the problem. George Thomas Roofing and
sheet metal was on the site Saturday. Uh
the police and fire department was there
Saturday. Uh taped the entire grounds
off to make sure nobody entered it. Um
we stayed Well, be honest with you,
Chief, I went in the building, but
we had to see what the problem was. So,
we got up in there. There's access
through the um at the main entrance um
of the church. Um and that's 18 ft in
the air. Um but they got up in there sat
was wrong. Um it was bolts, loose bolts.
Um, I got a text at about 12:30 Saturday
afternoon at home that our musical
director was at the church and he said
the spire was making a lot of noise. And
I said, 'Well, it's gusting at 60 m an
hour. I bet it is. Then he sent me a
video and I said, "Well, that shouldn't
be happening." So, um, we identified the
problem, but the help of the fire
department, the police department,
certainly the building department, and
the cooperation of the city, um, as
we've told you privately, I now tell you
publicly in front of the city and for
the record, we are very grateful for
your service and professional
cooperation. So, thank you. Great. Thank
you, Rich.
Now, like to open up public comment. If
anyone has any comment for any items
discussed in this meeting, please step
forward.
Dennis Gioski, 7702 Amhurst Avenue.
Going to ask again, Mr. um Ed Dennis, um
cost for this dredging project.
>> We don't have a a budget for the first
phase of the project yet.
for okay this is I don't we I see
ordinance are passed things that you
have and we have estimates
and we don't have an estimate on on
dredging what's going to cost the people
of Margate for this dredging project and
you're already getting permits and
everything and there's a dredging's been
done already at the used to be the swift
marina and you're telling me you have no
idea what it's going to cost the people
in Margate at this point
>> so Dennis that that dredging is done by
private owners. I understand
>> the city dredging. So the process with
the city dredging is we we received our
permit. We now will go out to bid. Once
we get once we go out to bid, we'll have
a better understanding of what the
project will cost.
>> We we also need to define what phase
one's going to be. I mean, we haven't
defined that yet. So
>> last meetings here, Mr. Abbott was
talking about going to the person who
bought the marina who's doing the
dredging to get a cost estimate from
him. No one has done that. I take it
correct.
>> That's not part of our process.
>> Okay. Not a part of your process. Okay.
um financial reports. We haven't had one
since November. I made a statement back
in November that we did not have one and
now we're into the end of the February
and still don't have one. So where does
that come from? No one. Because any
ordinance that you pass there has to be
an impact report done by the chief
financial officer and you're passing
bonds and all that without giving the
what the repercussion is going to be
against you know these bonds towards the
people of Margate
>> all that Leon Costello when he came a
couple weeks ago kind of discussed the
entire impact of the bonding and
everything. Um
>> no that was not it's
>> that was the entire purpose of his his
meeting to discuss the bonding and and
the impact on future budgets. Um so as
far as any individual reports I know uh
Pat is working with the finance
department on the the budget because
we're preparation
>> November we have not had one
you you so that's all right as the mayor
of Margate
>> I am not the commissioner of finance.
>> No that's not you're the mayor of
Margate city. You have two
commissioners. You know, we've not had a
report since November.
>> And and when you asked this last time, I
said we should and we we still don't.
But I'm not in charge of those
employees, Dennis.
>> Okay. Mr. R, you're the business
administrator. Is there anyone that you
can get in touch with to give us a
report? So, it's going on
>> because you're passing bonds for
different things and we're not getting
anything what the impact's going to be.
>> Yeah. I I need your reports.
>> Okay. I appreciate it. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Dennis.
Any other public comment on workshop?
Is there a motion to close? Public
comment on workshop.
>> Mike, before we close, um, is can we
just get an update? There's a couple of
traffic lights that are out on Atlantic
Avenue and I don't know if they're a
result of the contractor that was
working there or
um you know what the when were is
somebody working on getting those fixed.
>> I mean the only thing I know is the one
traffic light was found by the fire
department when they were responding
returning from a call. They called it
into the police department and they were
unaware that the light was out and I
think that was on Saturday that they
called that in to report it, but that's
the only thing I'm aware of. But it was
Saturday, but it was out in all four
directions. There was no power to it
whatsoever.
>> Tom, does Mike Mack still look at those
for us?
>> Mike Mack does. Yeah, I Everything was
marked out. Um I'm not You'd have to ask
Pat to get a little little more detail
situation. Yeah, if if we could cuz like
I said there's two out in a row on
Atlantic I think right at like Lancaster
and maybe Mansfield. Those two
>> I think it was Mansfield Fire
Department.
>> Okay.
>> May May have to do with the construction
out there.
>> And that's what I thought but
>> All right. Good. Good. Good. Great.
Thank you.
>> All right. Is there a motion to close
public comment on workshops?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbber?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn?
>> Yes.
>> Is there a motion to adjurnn? Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn.
>> Yes.
>> All right. We will proceed
>> momentarily.
Okay.
>> 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 star ledger 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 algiance 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 February 5th, 2026 regular and
workshop meeting minutes?
>> Motion.
>> Second. Mayor Collins,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg, yes.
>> Commissioner Horn,
>> yes.
>> Before we open up public comment on
resolutions, I just want to um introduce
Ed Dixon. Uh if anyone remembers from a
couple meetings ago, Ed came to to ask
the city if we would consider uh
dedicating uh the month of August to our
veterans. And after uh you know,
discussing it over, we agreed to do it.
Uh we were going to put this on the
agenda last meeting, but we wanted Ed to
be present. Um and again, you know, Ed
was here a couple meetings ago, but Ed
is a lifetime member of the Knights of
Columbus and the VFW in Washington
Township, and he's also a member of the
American Legion in Ocean City. And um I
just want to thank you for bringing this
to us and we look forward to uh you
know, celebrating August uh for our
veterans. But I'd like to hand the floor
off to you. Thank you for that
introduction.
Uh, I was looking forward to seeing all
of you again and I'm happy that Mayor
Michael Collins and this council agreed
to dedicate the month of August to our
military veterans, men and women. I am
fortunate to meet such people who care
so much about our military veterans.
This resolution all of you approved of
is a great tribute to them as the
military enabled all Americans to
celebrate 250 years of our freedom. This
upcoming July 4th is a tribute historic
and uh historic anniversary and
memorable occasion.
I am striving to have this dedication
printed on every calendar across our
great country.
They deserve this celebration each year
and with the help of Congressman Jeff
Van Drew and the House of
Representatives
that it will come in the to fruition.
Uh he did say that it would take some
time and just to be a little bit
patient. So, thank you very much, Mr.
Mayor, and may God bless you all.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you for your service.
>> All right. So, I now like to open up
public comment to for resolutions and
ordinance adoption. So, if anyone has
any comments on the items on today's
agenda, please step forward.
Hi, Sher Lillianfeld,
7809 Wellington Avenue. Um, I just want
some clarification on one ordinance
number two about alcoholic beverages cuz
from the title can't tell what it is.
And then Ed, maybe you can tell us about
the lead lines that are going to be
replaced. That's ordinance number
53. Just again, I know I got the letter
about the lead and they came to the
house. I just don't know is it like
citywide like what is the
depth of the lead lines that are being
replaced? So, ordinance number two on
the alcohol beverages.
>> So, ordinance number two is disc it's an
increase in the wages for the licenses
for the fees. So, that's all that that
does. It's just us um you know adjusting
those those numbers for the annual fees.
And then Ed on uh lead service, you can
jump in. It's this is really just a
continuation of the project. Ed
mentioned this last week, but I'll let
you take the floor.
>> Yeah, I mean really that's what it is.
And Sher, you can go on the city's uh
website and you can go on there and see
what locations are included in the first
phase. Um this is actually for the
second phase. Um and that'll be added to
the website soon. It's just the next
area of town really is what it is.
>> Yeah.
>> Is it I mean I know it could go on the
website too. Is it like all through
town? Is it do we find that there's lead
service like all throughout Margate
that's being replaced in general?
Roughly
>> in general we have to investigate all
around town because there's a lot of
lines that we don't know exactly what
the pipe material is.
>> So that's part of this project.
>> Okay. That means all the streets are
going to get ripped up right
>> at some point. It's it's city-wide
project.
>> No. And I mean I'm all for replacing the
lead pipe. So I mean it's all for good.
I just Okay. Um, so there's no increase
in the number of um of um liquor
licenses or anything.
>> There's not.
>> We don't have the ability to do that.
>> Okay. Do we know how many we have in the
city? No,
>> there are 18.
>> 18
>> liquor license. Some are consumption and
some are retail.
>> But it's 18.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Great. Thank you.
>> Do we have any other comment on the
items on tonight's agenda?
Is there a motion to close public
comment on resolutions and ordinance
adoption?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn?
>> Yes.
>> Johanna, will you proceed, please?
>> May I have a motion for the adoption of
ordinance number two of 2026, an
ordinance amending chapter 67, alcohol
beverages 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
adoption of ordinance number three of
2026, bond ordinance appropriating
$4,200,000
and authorizing the issuance of
$4,200,000
in school bonds and notes of the city of
Margate for various school improvements
or purpose authorized to be undertaken
by the city of Margate, New Jersey.
Motion
>> second.
>> Mayor Collins,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Horn,
>> yes.
>> May I have a motion for resolution
number 50, 2026, authorizing bill
payment and claims?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg, yes.
>> Commissioner Horn,
>> yes.
>> May I have a motion for resolution
number 51 2026 authorizing payment to
Kmar Home Center? Motion
>> second.
>> Mayor Collins,
>> I abstain.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Horn,
>> yes.
>> May I have a motion for resolution
number 45,
2026, a resolution designating the month
of August as veterans resign resation
month
>> in the city of Margate? 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 52 2026
through resolution number 54 2026.
>> Motion
>> second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn.
>> Yes.
>> And Ed, I just want to again
congratulate you and thank you for
coming as it's now official that we will
uh be recognizing our veterans for the
entire month of August. So, thank you.
>> All right, we will now open up public
comment. If anyone has any comment,
please step forward.
>> Steven Alman, 9003 Emmer Stabum Margate
have a little confession to make. I'm a
card carrying biblop file. I went to the
my first library at uh Granville Avenue
School and I was uh blessed with uh
being able to go to the Carnegie Library
in Atlantic City whenever I had to do
research, American University Library of
30,000 volumes back in 1968.
And when we didn't have a book that I
needed, I was able to go to the um
library of Congress and sit in the great
uh chamber and ask for a book that would
be brought to me and I could research
it. And then I came back to Bargate and
I discovered a library that is
absolutely spectacular. We have a
marvelous library with a lot of
different programs and a great staff. I
presented to each one of the
commissioners a copy of a report that I
sort of remembered from 2005.
Uh believe Mayor Rio was mayor at that
time. And uh this was a study that was
done by a fairly blue ribbon um group of
Margations and a a consulting group that
really did a remarkable job in analyzing
all of Margates buildings. Uh they made
a lot of suggestions.
Uh nothing really happened until the
firefighters union made a presentation
here in this chamber. uh expressing how
dismal their facilities were here and at
fire station 2. And then we had a little
thing called Storm Sandy which
progressed in getting some of the
recommendations in this uh report um
into fruition. But I have to say that I
remembered, but I went to the library
and um they were remarkable in being
able to do research for me to find this
document which I then asked them to make
some copies for me and for the advisory
board which I'll hand out on Monday. And
they were they're just remarkable people
at our library. And if you've got a kid
or a grandkid whose face is buried in a
telephone or a computer, get them over
to the library. I mean, even starting as
babies, they have storytelling for
babies. It's just amazing. And, uh, it's
underutilized, I can tell you, in the
winter. Uh, it's a great place to go for
films, for music besides books. So I I
I'm really not presenting this to you
guys.
I'm just using as an example to tell us
all what a great great library and a
marvelous staff that we have at our
library. And I encourage everybody to
spread the word to get over there and
see how you can utilize it. Lot of
research material on Margate if you're
interested. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Steve.
Do we have any more public comment?
Is
>> there a motion to close public comment?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbber?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn?
>> Yes.
>> May I now have a motion for resolution
number 55206
declaring close session?
>> Motion.
>> Second. Mayor Collins, yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Horn,
>> yes.
>> May I now ask everyone to leave? You
will be invited back when this is over.
At this time, we will be discussing
contracts and possible litigation.
>> Thank you everybody.
You don't need
Can we have a motion to come out of
close session?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn?
>> Yes.
>> May we have a synopsis of close session?
It was covered by attorney client
privilege. That's that's all of them
indicated at this junction.
>> Thank you.
>> Is there a motion to adjurnn?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn.
>> Yes.
>> Thank you everybody.
>> Thank you.
>> All right. Thanks.
I think.