City Council Meeting 11/13/2025

Yeah.
Now they're leaving
upside
down.
>> They took it out and
certainly.
>> Let's call this meeting to order. If we
could all rise for a flag salute, please
to the flag of the United States of
America to the republic
[groaning and screaming] for which it
stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all.
>> Well, good evening everybody.
>> Good evening.
>> Thank you. Uh before May I have a roll
call poll, please?
>> Council member Deanis
>> here.
>> Council member Dill
>> here.
>> Council member Gity
>> here.
>> Council member Johnston
>> here.
>> Council member McGuigan
>> here.
>> Council member Owen
>> here.
>> Council President Habercorn
>> present. Also present is Mayor Tap,
Administrative Frost, city clerk Keith,
city solicitor Smith,
and um that's our group here for
tonight. Uh pursuant to the Open Public
Meetings Act, adequate notice of this
meeting has been provided. The agenda
for this meeting is posted in city hall
and on the city's website,
summersgov.org,
pursuant to city code A266-9D.
and to afford everyone an opportunity to
address the governing body, the public
may speak only one time and not to
exceed 3 minutes.
I also ask that when people are
addressing uh the council that they
please uh have their remarks towards me,
not to any individual on the council. We
we do it that way and also uh try not to
uh any personal attacks keep and not be
too boisterous. We want to have good
decorum throughout the evening. So,
thank you. Um, anybody have any
communications?
Not hearing any communications. Uh,
Mayor Tap, please.
>> I just have a few items here. Uh, this
past Tuesday, we had our Veterans Day
ceremony. I want to take the opportunity
to thank the chief of police uh, as well
as our Summers Point Police Department
for providing the uh, closing closing of
the street and, uh, protecting us there.
Guy Martin and Steve Hornick from public
works for the cleanup for uh all the
materials that's necessary to make that
uh event go off. Uh it was a uh well
attended considering it was 35 mph winds
and it was really really cold.
So uh this is our only meeting for
November. So, I want to go through some
events that's coming up in December,
which would be prior to our December
meeting, uh, which is, uh, December 5th.
It's a Friday night and it's from 5 to 6
from the Summers Point unique
experience. They have their porch, um,
performances, which start on in Summer's
Yeah. starts on Summers Avenue which is
right between I don't have the exact
house but you'll see where the group is
but it's between Bay Avenue and Shore
Road that starts at 5 and then it jumps
to different houses uh on their porches
and I believe they end up at Gregory's
afterwards. uh just follow the crowd
that's there on uh December 6 uh at the
mansion put on by um the Patriots is the
Christmas mark and that starts at 10:00
a.m. and it goes till 400 p.m. And that
same night, December 6th is our
Christmas parade which starts at 6:00,
starts at Dolls Avenue, ends up at city
hall. Uh, and December 7th is Breakfast
with Santa at Fire Company number two.
That's at 9:00 a.m. And we will have
Celebrity Chefs. By the way, I signed up
to everyone on council to cook. Um, so
don't worry, you just got to be there at
6. I'll send an email out and cordally
invite you all.
>> Thank you.
>> You're welcome. Uh I do want to take an
opportunity to uh on behalf of the city
council and the mayor want to wish
Rosemary Howal from the construction
office a belated happy birthday. It was
just a couple days ago. So uh I don't
want to tell her how old because you
never want to say that.
>> Shouldn't.
>> And then lastly, you know, because this
is our last meeting of the month, I want
to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
>> You're welcome. Mr. Frost,
>> thank you. Mr. Smith,
>> nothing. Thank you. Uh does anyone have
any committee reports?
Um I it's not a committee, but it's our
uh we walk Summers Point Group. Uh we're
going to be celebrating our 18th month
of walking. Uh it's hard to believe
Jason from uh when we first started
talking about this with the insurance
company back about it almost two years
ago. Make sure good there and all the
time being able to present here to city
council about it and the rec board. Uh
but it's been a very gratifying
experience because so many people have
come out. They've gotten to know each
other really well. Got some really good
friendships going. It's more of a
support group in a lot of ways because a
lot of our people out of walking are
caregivers. Uh and then, you know, they
also support one another and that's been
a really good experience. So for me, I
really uh it's been a good good
experience. So I wanted to share that
with everybody. If anybody wants to come
out and walk anytime, feel free to. But
it's a really good strong group of
people and I'm proud to be part of it.
Anybody else have any
>> Mr. I'm sorry. Go ahead,
>> Mr. D.
>> Yeah, just uh to mention the uh the
Veterans Advisory Committee uh met last
month and uh the uh [clears throat]
Pearl Harbor celebration on uh December
Sunday, December 7th at 100 p.m. And I'd
like the public to come out and support
that. Thank you. Thank you.
Uh thank you. Yeah. Several weeks ago I
noticed that the uh auxiliary parking
lot for the uh Atlantic Care urgent care
on uh Groveland and uh Shore was not up
to Summers Point standards and I had an
opportunity to speak to Matt Levenson
who's the vice president of uh external
affairs and development for Atlantic
Care as well as a Lynwood city
councilman and uh pointed that out to
him. I just want to publicly thank him
because he took action and uh really
spruced up that parking lot and uh you
know it it looks great. Uh it looks a
lot better than it was. Um, the other
thing I need to report is I I attended a
uh the CRC meeting, excuse me,
[clears throat] the other day and
there's a there's a proposed building uh
on Bay Avenue, Bay Avenue and uh and
Gibbs that uh would be uh a retail and
office uh facility and there is some
unique solutions uh that they're looking
at uh with regards to uh parking uh as
it is next to a a municipal parking lot.
So, I'm going to be sending out some
information uh over the next few days uh
for you to take a look at and uh perhaps
with your uh blessing we can have them
come in and make a little presentation
uh at our next meeting.
>> Sounds great. Thank you.
>> Thank you,
>> Mr. Council President. Uh this coming
Sunday, Summers Point Arts Commission is
going to be hosting a creative uh flow
rating group over at the Senior uh
recreation building on Amber Road. Uh
creative flow writing group is from 10
to 12. It's free. Uh up to 15 people.
Free writing prompts, mindful practices,
and space to share. Receive gentle
feedback. Bring your notebook and pen.
Amanda will be there to facilitate in
the morning uh writing prompts and then
after that uh there there's going to be
a creative flow art club uh same
location from 12 to 2:00 p.m. Uh
basically 12:30 there will be a demo uh
building dynamics base layers. Uh Shaina
will be doing this live demo and how she
creates base layers in her mixed media
paintings which provide the playful
intuitive foundation that gives a piece
of its energy and texture. So please
please be you know if you want to come
out it's free to the public and it's
going to be a really good time.
Thanks.
>> Thank you, Mike. Anybody else have any
committee reports? Not hearing any more
committee reports. I need a motion and a
second to um approve the regular meeting
minutes of October 23rd, 2025 and
executive session minutes of October
23rd, 2025 for content only. May I have
a motion? Council President, I've
abstained from the regular meeting
minutes on the 23rd because I wasn't
here, but I did
>> read them.
>> I did um I did watch,
>> but I was a part of the executive,
>> you know. So,
>> okay, sounds good.
>> Okay. Can I have a motion?
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Have a second.
>> Second.
>> Any comments? Not hear any comments. All
in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
The abovementioned meeting minutes are
approved. Uh there is one ordinance.
>> Mr. uh president
>> if at this time I would like to make a
motion. I know that we had tabled uh uh
ordinance number 17. I'd like to make a
motion that we bring that off the table
and uh consider that this evening.
>> We would need a second.
>> I'll make that second.
>> Um
madam clerk, can I have a roll call on
this and see
member McGreg? Yes.
>> Council member Dill.
>> Yes.
>> Council member Owen.
>> Yes.
>> Council member Johnston.
>> No.
>> Council member Gity.
>> No.
>> Council member Deanis.
>> No.
>> Council President Habberorn.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. So now, um, Mr. Smith. This is
where I often times need some direction
here on how to make sure we follow the
process perfectly and not every second.
>> Yes, it has.
[clears throat]
>> Certain criticism was leveled at that
time.
And I had indicated at that time we
weren't changing that aspect of the uh
discussion about the operation of
electric bikes and scooters
property.
[clears throat]
>> All we were doing was those properties
were including electric
So
bicycle down there anyway
fuel
liquid fuel gas. So I just want to make
sure that people last.
So
public.
>> Do I have the madam clerk read the
ordinance first?
Please read the ordinance.
>> Ordinance number 17 of 2025. An
ordinance of the city of Summers Point,
county of Atlantic, state of New Jersey,
regulating the operation of electric
bicycles on municipal bike paths and
public sidewalks. Amending chapter 250
vehicles and traffic article 8 bicycles,
skateboards, skates, and scooters of the
municipal code.
>> We have a motion to open for public
comment, please.
>> So moved.
>> I have a second.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed. Not hearing any opposed. We
are now open for public comment on
ordinance number 17 only.
So if anyone wants to speak, come on up.
Motion to close the public.
>> Wait, we got somebody. Okay, we got
something. I didn't know we had
somebody.
>> Do you mind just stay? Thank you.
>> Please don't start my time clock. Just
you shut me off before, but
>> a point of clarification. So, what just
happened?
>> The ordinance is now open for the second
uh reading. So, now the public can
comment on the ordinance. Remember the
first reading? Okay. You couldn't. And
then we tabled it the next meeting. Now
we brought it back up. It's off the
table and it's the second reading of
that ordinance.
>> All right. So you can start at the
clock.
[laughter]
>> Go for it. Just shut me off. Anyway,
>> no. No. Also,
>> I guess you know before you start before
we uh start the clock, there is
>> one second. There is a opportunity after
three minutes if city council so chooses
to vote to extend the time by a couple
minutes. So if you know don't feel like
you know we're just cutting you off
>> and we're trying to to have you know
stay to the limit but you know what I
think I'm going to be under two minutes.
>> Okay. Go ahead.
>> In any event you know I I guess my thing
is you know my question Mr. president,
you know, [clears throat] just address
to you, how many how many members have
an ebike? You know, is this just out of
curiosity, does anybody here have an
ebike?
>> Because I do. And and you're attempting
to regulate something that I don't know
if you guys all have one, but you know,
as I said before, and I do have a I I
have an ebike. I do hold a new New
Jerseys driver's license and know know
the rules of the road. And it is my
ebike is pedal assist says
[clears throat]
um and my usual traveling speed is under
50 mi 15 mile an hour. It's never to be
considered a motorcycle. If you
genuinely care about safety, you need to
address enforcement with real
consequences.
One person per bike. I think that needs
to be critical. Um enforcement of New
Jersey sale helmet rules. We talked
about this two uh the last meeting I was
here. These rules have been in place.
Just curious. Pursue [clears throat]
mandatory school registration. I mean,
hang on, let me go back. How many
patrolling officers does the city have
on eBox to enforce on a daily basis
without that enforcement? Sounds more
like hope versus re reality. Um pursue
mandatory school registration to park on
school property and education to ride
and ebike to school. Schools used to
have drivers driver's ed get a parking
permit. Add ebikes to that list [snorts]
of education and requirements to come
and go with an ebike. Consequences for
not following the rules. How are we how
are you going to enforce helmet? Helmet
laws has been in place for many years
for minors. But has there ever been and
here's my question. Has there ever been
any enforcement in this [clears throat]
city of kids riding bikes under 17 years
old? Just curiosity. Ask your police
chief. Well,
>> have they ever arrested anybody?
>> I don't know if they've arrested them,
but they have been up on the bike path
handing out uh helmets and handing out
>> what's the consequences
is my thing. Sounds like it could simply
be lip service with that clear
consequences. I very much seems like
pure, you know, ca when the next tragedy
happens. Um, you need to have something
in place to be proactive with something
that takes a real bite to those who will
not comply. Here we go. I personally
commend you and I mean this in all
sincerity for addressing the issue that
has been building and realize this is
the first step. You cannot solve a
problem without trying. We all know that
you got to try. Not no action is
nothing. Uh the most difficult part of
solving a problem is recognizing and you
all have done this. There is a problem
and clearly you recognize this. Inaction
has been no action. I really think this
is time to do it. We just came home from
Europe the other day and I'll tell you
what, I have seen so much stuff in
Amsterdam and other parts of Europe. You
think we have a problem? They have major
problems. But I'm telling you what, you
need to nip it in the butt right now
because it's going to get out of
control. It is it's it's not out of out
of control yet, but we all saw what
happened July 14th. Just please keep
this in mind. That's all I'm asking you
for. I am an ebike. I don't care what
you do. Um, personally I don't I mean
I'll ride my ebike. I can ride it on the
road. But what we have in mind here is
kids, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12 year old kids
riding these ebikes with mom and dads
that buy these things that don't
understand the consequences and where
they're at. Leave it at that. Did they
do under three minutes?
>> No, but that's okay. Thank
>> I I interrupted you for a few seconds.
So I
>> I think you Does anybody else have any
uh comments?
>> Let me get your name and address,
please.
>> Wendy Vaka, 601 Sunny Street. Um I have
an ebike as well. Um I also have a
license. I drive according to the laws.
I have seven grandchildren who also ride
with me. They do not have ebikes, but I
need the ebike to keep up with them on
their pedal bikes. Um, I think the ebike
gives certain people opportunity to be
able to go further and do things. Um,
but I do understand the safety as a main
concern. My main concern is these
children that I see all the time on the
bike path riding the ebikes and getting
pushed off of the bike path because they
can no longer ride them there. And then
what happens is they're on the city
streets. Um, I personally rode my ebike
over to Ocean City. And in Ocean City,
you're not allowed to ride on certain
sidewalks. So, I was riding in the
street and I got pushed off the street
by a bus, fell off my ebike onto the
sidewalk, and I got injured. That's what
I'm concerned about with these kids not
being able to ride their ebike on the
bike path. It's a safe place for them to
ride. I think it's better trying to make
rules for them to ride than to push them
off onto the street. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Anybody else?
Get a motion to close.
>> Motion to close portion.
>> A second. Second. All
>> in [clears throat] favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing. Any opposed?
We are now closed for public comment.
All right.
Let's see here.
Say that again.
>> Any discussion?
>> Well, first
>> I think now you have discussion.
>> Uh let's uh open it up for comments from
uh city council. Any comments from up
here?
>> Uh yes. Um I'm against this uh
ordinance. It's the same one that we
introduced the last meeting or whatever
and it hasn't nothing's changed in it.
And I'm I'm just against banning ebikes
off the bike path. Our continu
contiguous town is going to allow them
and then they get to some point they got
to get off. It it just doesn't make any
sense making kids. And
I get a lot of calls from senior
citizens that use it for exercise. The
bike path is a safe place for them to
go. They like being able to pedal a
little bit and then ride a little bit. I
mean, I I agree there has to be some
rules and there has to be some
enforcement for for people that
are breaking the rules. But I think
you're punishing law-abiding citizens
that want to ride their bikes with their
grandchildren on the bike path. It this
this ordinance the way it's written does
not make any sense to me.
>> Uh what would you change? That's really
why I had the tableabling exercise at
the last time because I was hoping to
get some dialogue before this meeting.
But what would you like to see changed
in this ordinance that might might help?
Well, I I don't want to see ebikes
banned. I would like to see
um maybe I I thought there was going to
be some research done to find out, but I
thought there was ebikes that there's
three different categories or three
different types of ebikes and some of
them go quick faster than others. So
maybe just ban the fast ones and not the
the ones that people are using for
exercise. I mean, it just it doesn't
make any sense to me to I mean, aren't
there ones that only go up to 19 m an
hour and then the others go faster?
>> Pedal assist.
>> Okay.
[snorts]
>> There are others that are not pedal
assist that max out at 20 miles hour.
And then there's a a it's not even a
category technically, but there are
others and I think everyone has seen
these. They almost look like a a
motorcycle that are supposed to be out
like 28 miles hour
and so that that is
>> right.
Okay.
>> I mean, maybe just allow pedal assist
feedbacks or like I don't, you know,
again, I thought there was going to be a
little more information for us.
>> I, you know, I thought I was going to
get some feedback from other council
members too. So, Mr. president may uh I
did take the opportunity to do uh a lot
of research on my own once once the
thing was tabled just to make sure that
that I was uh uh
>> right thinking in my in my opinion uh at
the time and and since the advent of
these ebikes uh I I've gotten untold
calls from senior citizens all you know
you know regular uh younger people uh
about keeping them off the bike path.
The bike path is is really designed for
regular bikes and pedestrians and and
we're even adding to that by putting in
these uh exercise stations which is
really going to enhance our bike path
and really create as a jewel. uh you
know in my research and reading that
I've done over the last two or three
weeks um you know there are areas
Atlantic City boardwalk they're banned
uh you know it it's to me uh it's not a
right mix uh we're asking people
pedestrians and so forth to get out
there get exercise uh but then we're
putting these these rather souped up uh
you want to call them motorcycles
whatever they are these souped up ebikes
and we've all seen them how they're how
they're being uh driven. Uh I I just
think it's it's the right thing to do.
So um that's where I stand. Thank you,
Mr. President.
>> You're welcome.
>> Any other comments?
>> Uh council president.
>> Yes, Mr.
>> U. First of all, we can all sit up here
and agree to disagree. Um I'm in favor
of the ordinance. I mean, growing up, we
had a thing. It was called, you know,
mopeds. They were regulated. You had to
have insurance. You had to be 16 years
of age and you had to have a moped
license. Mopeds go up to 30 mph.
It's kind of vague to look at how do we
differentiate the various kinds of
bikes, ebikes that are motorized on our
bike path. We have senior [snorts]
citizens that walk the bike path. We
have when I see a growing trend of new
couples with baby strollers on the bike
path. I see this.
And you know, you you look around and
you want the people to in this town to
be safe. We're talking about public
safety. We're in a town of 11,000
residents.
And I want everybody to be safe at the
end of the day when they when they go
home and not get smacked by somebody who
decides to, you know, turn it up. My
sister-in-law got hurt in Lynwood by an
ebike. Happened to be somebody that
wasn't 16. They happened to be like
grown grown adult. You can't hear these
things when they sneak up on you. So
that's that that's where I'm at with
this.
>> Thank you, Mr.
>> Mr. Gity. I see you're down there
scribing a little bit. Do you have any
comment or
>> Yeah, I'd just like to clarify a couple
things. There's three classes of these
bikes. Class one and two are the pedal
assist that are the slow speed and class
three which is the ones that go up to 28
miles an hour. Uh the ones
>> there two classes and then they have
another set out there by statute. The
the class one is pedal assist and then
the the engine cuts off at like 19 or 20
miles hour and then the other one you
don't have to use the pedals and will go
on its own up to 20 miles hour almost
like so. So
the distinction between that and the
ones that go 30 miles hour
>> really is really nothing.
>> It's funny because on the state website
they're listed as class three.
>> Yeah, I know. But
>> but if you let me finish what I was
going to say.
>> Okay. All right. When I need you to let
me know something, I'll let you know.
>> Yeah. Okay. All right. And the question
was brought up about people modifying
these. It says right in the state
statute, if you modify one of these
bikes, you fall into the third class and
they need license and insurance. All the
class 3es, which includes also mopeds
and stuff like that, all need license
and insurance. So the low-speed bikes
are the class one and class two. What I
would like to see, and I thought was the
original intention that we were on this,
is to have some consistency with
Lynwood's ordinance, which bans the fast
bikes, but keeps the low-speed pedal
assist bikes on there. Now, they have a
10 mph speed limit that they put on
[snorts] there, which I know there some
back and forth over having speed limits.
Uh my main concern is this is great all
the way through town except till you get
to Ocean Avenue in the Ocean Heights
when you have kids riding these bikes to
mainland because now when they hit Ocean
Avenue they have to divert to Shore Road
and by law they can't be on the sidewalk
so [snorts] they have to be on the
street.
>> No, the bike path goes down the
mainland.
Yeah, but they're not
>> they can't
>> they're coming from
>> if they're coming from mainland.
They got to get off
street.
>> Get on short roadwalk.
>> Okay. So, you're telling me it's not
okay to ride the electric bike on a bike
path, but it's okay for them to ride on
the sidewalk.
>> Not this ordinance.
though now.
>> Okay. Cuz what I'm saying is is now if
if you ban this
>> Yeah.
>> these kids have to go up Ocean Avenue
and according to motor vehicle laws,
they have to go with the flow of
traffic, which means they have to
crossshore road and be on the opposite
side, the east side, northbound. All
right? Which I think creates a dangerous
thing. if they go west and go down
Buffalo. Now, that puts them on Ocean
Heights Avenue, of which we've had
several bicycle accidents there. So, I
think that intersection right there,
that one section of the bike path, needs
to be addressed. Now,
>> it's probably after I talk to him about
it.
>> I don't think so. All right.
>> Okay. All right. Is he is he taking up
my three minutes? I just want to make
sure that he's
>> I would just like to see if we're going
to do this to have consistency with
Lynwood and do the same thing, not have
it where it's confusion where you go and
then Northfield pops up and does
something else. And you know, it's it's
going to be hard enough figuring this
out anyway. And there's a lot of things
with these ebikes that according to the
state statute are supposed to happen,
but nobody even knows what they are. You
know, they're all supposed to have
stickers on them that identify what type
of bike they are. All right. Well, when
somebody's going by you 20 m an hour,
good luck reading the sticker. Yeah. So
that's the reason why I'm not in favor
of the ordinance as written, but I would
be in favor of it if it was amended.
So that's all I have to say.
>> Councilman Gary, can I ask a question?
What would you amend it to? I would just
make it uh consistent with Lynwood that
the class one and class twos are allowed
on the bike path and I wouldn't even
bother with the speed limit because I
think that gets us into a whole another
quagmire.
You know, they can't really be enforced
and you know what are we going to put a
radar cop on the on the bike path then
and everything. So, I I still say, and
I've said it here from day one that I
came back here,
education is where we have to be. We
have to take a strong stance on that. I
know we're supposed to get electric
bicycles. We're supposed to train
officers to use them. We're supposed to
have an outreach program and stuff. We
got to move forward with that. We do
have to I need to stop talking about it
and actually just do it. But if this was
amended, I would vote in favor of it.
Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith.
Richard Smith. Sorry. Uh we uh these
these class these ones with the pedal
brakes and the ones that can only go 20
miles an hour. Do they also have pedals?
>> Yes.
>> I don't know if they have pedals, but
they don't need them.
>> Moped. You could start the moped by
pedaling. You can start the moped like a
motorcycle electric bike.
I think if they have pedals, they are
just
>> none of us know.
>> Can't have you calling out the public
session goes by. So, you know, it it's
you don't need anyone. Someone who's
handicapped can get on a bike and and
never pedal at all. They're the class
two.
>> All right.
Nobody else has any comments.
>> Yeah, I do.
>> You do. Go ahead.
>> Um, well, usually laws without any teeth
on what the paper they're written on.
Um, this might be one of those cases.
Um, I'm in favor of doing something. Uh,
we we cannot just sit here and wait for
something else to happen. Uh, but I
agree with Kirk that, uh, at least we
should be consistent with the city next
to us. And I think we
should put this aside again and
see if we can come up with something a
little bit better. Right. I'm I think
everybody else had a chance to talk.
Okay. As we've gone through this, I
think education is very important and
that's part of the enforcement. So, we
got to educate. We got to have signage
up here. We have to have a police
presence there. [clears throat] That
police presence can be people on
bicycles or it can be a patrol car
parked up there occasionally that flips
on the lights. We're never going to
chase because we're not allowed to by
statute in the state to do. Let me just
continue as we started to talk here and
I was listening to everybody talk and
I've listened to this from a lot of
people um you know in different
occasions that have come forward on it.
You start splitting hairs on a class
one, a class two, a class three. We're
putting enough pressure on our police as
it is now to try to enforce this law.
They're never going to be able to do it.
And to your point, Rick, we have to have
some teeth. And the way to have teeth is
to have nobody up there. In my mind,
speaking for myself, this gives our
police the opportunity to enforce the
law because they're going to be able to
see it and hopefully be able to correct
it. I am forward doing this this way. I
I I would I will obviously have to we'll
have to have a vote to see which way we
go. I believe this is a start to go
forward. One of the gentlemen talked a
couple meetings ago that this has been
two and a two years plus that he's
brought it to city council. Deliberation
is not action. We need to take some
action. [clears throat] And in my mind,
listening to everybody that's talked
about it, trying to differentiate
bikes and say this one and that one and
that one doesn't work. Putting speed
limits up there. We can see it on the
streets. It's hard enough to enforce a
25 mph speed limit for our offices
today. It's going to be no different up
there. I do believe taking this step is
the right step. But that's my opinion.
So if everybody's spoken their peace,
>> I think it's unsafe to make children
ride on the streets.
>> Okay. I think
>> I don't that's not safety. It's more
safe to do that than it is to put up
because when we do intersection we can
argue this one said we can agree to
disagree.
>> We're not arguing we're discussing.
>> I said we can agree to disagree. Okay.
That's what I said. Agree to disagree.
Arguing is good. I mean you know we
should debating is even better. Um
anyway I think the next step is we have
this hour as now.
Do we take a vote on it as it stands?
>> So,
>> so I need a motion
and a second
council president one amendment that I
would like the council to consider and
that's uh first of all I guess I I'm
ahead of myself. What if someone is
fined we have requirements associated
with that? The first first offense,
second offense, third offense. Yeah.
Does that mean they have to make a court
appearance if they're if that's written
up?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. All right. Uh because I was going
to discuss conf uh
taking the bikes from minors. Okay. And
taking them to city hall and the parents
coming down. But if we if they have to
make a court appearance,
they're going to be bo they're going to
have a problem enough. So I'm I changed
my mind about making any type of an
amendment on that.
>> Remind everyone this has to be submitted
to the state,
>> right? line.
>> Y
>> ran into this issue couple years ago
last year
couldn't enforce
>> I think we have clear um we have a clear
penalty here than we had
correct Mr. Smith. Thank you. Okay. So I
need a motion.
>> Can can we
do
so? So now we need a vote.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Let's do a roll call vote.
>> We can amend it.
>> Can we make a motion to amend it?
>> Second.
>> We need to know what the amendment is
first before second it.
>> Make a motion to amend it to um
is it pedal assist? Is that the um
>> pedal assist? That's the the term,
right? Hello [clears throat] system.
>> Yeah, that's a class one,
>> right?
So, what's what's what's going on here?
I need a
>> made a motion.
>> Okay.
>> To [clears throat] to for an exception,
as I understand, to allow pedal assist
only.
>> Okay. Right.
>> Right.
>> Is that consistent with Lynwood's
ordinance?
>> No.
>> No, it's not.
>> I got Lynwood's ordinance right here.
>> They're allowing all of them.
The operation or use of class one and
class 2 low-speed ebicycles are
permitted along the Limwood bike path at
a speed not to exceed 10 m hour.
>> That's right.
>> That's what it says. Class, they don't
go.
>> All right. So,
>> it's amended to that.
>> Can you Can you articulate one more
time? I would like to amend it to allow
class one and class two to be consistent
with Lynwood
>> also
>> um
>> speed that's what has
>> yeah yeah I'm okay with that but I I
don't know that that's
>> right what was what was stated
>> is what Janice originally stated without
any speaker correct
Yes.
>> Yeah.
>> One more time. Tom Janice. Go ahead.
Yes. One more time. S
>> please.
>> Amended to allow class one and class
two.
>> So we would need a second to that
amendment.
>> Excuse me. Point of order. That
amendment that she's stating there would
is a pretty significant change to this
ordinance
>> and would basically render the ordinance
>> a different ordinance.
>> Right. So the idea.
>> That's not the idea. But but the I then
that ordinance would have to be
that's a new ordinance that would have
to be publicized and we'd have to have a
first read.
>> Correct.
>> So we're not amending the ordinance.
We're replacing it.
[snorts]
>> Right.
Go ahead.
>> All right. Go ahead. [laughter]
>> The amendment would be This is it. the
introduction of the amended ordinance
and there will be a second reading
on the publication and that occur.
>> Yeah, we have either one of the next two
meetings. So that that's how that
>> so it will be all said and done at one
more meeting.
>> Okay.
>> All right. So
>> all right. I'll second amendment.
>> All right. I need a roll call. Now the
park to see you
>> to amend.
>> Council members amend.
>> Okay.
>> Council member Johnston.
>> Yes.
>> Council member Gity.
>> Yes.
>> Council member Deamplis.
>> Yes.
>> Council member Dill.
>> Yes.
>> Council member Owen.
>> I say yes. We're consistent with
Lynwood. I think that'd be good.
>> Yes.
>> Council member McGwigan.
>> No.
>> Council President Habric. Now, so
>> we have amended
ordinance. This is the
first reading is tonight. The second
reading would be at our December 11th
meeting.
>> Correct.
>> And that'll be advertised, right?
There'll be another public portion on
that amendment.
>> Yes.
>> Just just the amendment is advertised,
right? [snorts]
>> The whole ordinance doesn't have to be
advertised.
>> Yeah.
>> It's so much.
That's fine. That's fine. So, madam,
he's the attorney.
>> Madam, I know I was just I had a
question.
>> Madame clerk will take care of the
procedure to make sure that it gets
properly advertised.
>> All right. I hope nothing else is as
long as you're okay. Here we go.
>> Now, we're into uh resolutions. May I
have a motion and a second to open to
the public comment on resolutions only?
>> I have a motion. So move.
>> Have a second.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing. Any opposed?
We are now open for public comment on
resolutions only. Pat, take your time.
Three minutes doesn't start until you
give me your name and address. Patricia
Pearson 5 87 Mark is this mock a
resolution Bernwood Mox the thing you're
going to
>> in executive session
>> yes it's a resolution
>> okay what is it
>> resol phone calls today at my house what
is it I didn't even know but what you
have to explain it a little better than
on this paper so the public knows what
you're going in the executive session
[snorts] for I the inventorying of
computer records. We have to look at how
we handle our public records and and how
we do that. That has to be done uh with
Mr. Smith's guidance in a uh in a
executive session.
>> Okay. And then what or what is it? What
are you doing?
>> Resolution allowing municipality to
enter
>> computer
that would be able to certain
>> and it falls under a negotiation.
>> What data there when you uh I was
listening so much to that bike that I
[laughter]
listen
um roof on the Gateway Theater. Is that
a resolution?
>> It is a resolution.
>> Okay. Now I got to cut more than one.
All right, listen. Years ago when you
fixed up the gateway theater and it was
all done right in in council, whatever,
somebody told me that they said when it
was absolutely finished, which it was a
ribbon cutting, I love it. You love it,
that it would be selfmaintaining.
So, we have to look at the record or
whatever because a person actually said
they absolutely remember that. So, who's
putting a new roof on? Is it a grant? Is
it tax money or is it self-maintaining?
You got to know.
>> I mean, it would be a capital purchase.
>> The taxpayer would pay.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Then when you when you do these
things, you have to say this is going to
be on the taxpayer and this is going to
be a public grant. Just don't say you
put a new roof on if you said it in the
in the you know before that it was in
the
>> right. I don't remember that, but I I
know the person was trying to tell me
the truth.
>> Playground equipment.
>> I wasn't here. Yes.
>> Is that um
>> That's a grant.
>> That's a grant there, Mr. Frost, that
we're working on.
>> Grant pending for that.
>> It's all grant, right? Yes. So, it's not
on the taxpayers. Okay. And it's Oh,
here was another one today.
Um there's so much um construction going
on all over town. You know, everybody
sees it between, you know, Audi and
>> Y
>> Scarboro and the whole and Ryan Holmes
and everything else.
Are is the city going to receive any
tax? Are you going to lower the taxes
because of all this construction? I know
they don't pay it yet. Well, I know what
people want to know. Are the taxes going
to come down? You know, are they or
aren't they?
>> I don't have a crystal ball on that, but
uh
>> we're talking about uh resolutions. I
know
>> you want to come back.
>> I was giving I was giving her a little
>> All right. You want me to go in the
public?
>> You can do that. I was just trying to
give you a little latitude when you're
up.
>> I'm sorry about that.
>> That's okay. Don't worry about it. No
need to apologize. You want to get up
later and we can talk about it.
>> Really, the answer is we would hope.
>> Yes. Yeah, exactly.
>> You can't say yes, can't say no, but we
would hope that we would. And if we have
that opportunity, we will.
>> Okay. All right then.
>> You can come back up if you want.
>> Okay. Thank you. All right. Thank you.
>> Anybody else?
>> Motion to close the public portion.
>> I have a second.
>> Second.
>> All in favor? I.
>> Any opposed? Nobody's opposed. So,
public session is now closed. Resolution
number 237, please. Resolution number
237 of 2025 authorizing purchase of
playground equipment through the
Educational Services Commission of New
Jersey National Cooperative Purchasing
Program for contract number 2425-01
playground equipment site furnishings
outdoor circuit training equipment and
reated products for JFK park.
>> Motion moved second. Any comments? I
just have a question if I could. The
>> What's the status of the grant for the
all-inclusive playground for JFK? Do we
know anything about that?
>> That's this.
Oh, okay. All right. Good.
Okay.
>> Any other comments?
>> All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Hearing any opposed?
Resolution 237 is approved. Number 238,
please. Resolution number 238 of 2025,
authorization of purchase through the
use of state contract vendor Dell
Corporation pursuant to NJSA4A1-12A
and NJAC 534-7.29C
for the use of SDL software for the city
of Summers Point Construction Office.
>> Have a motion. So moved.
>> A second.
>> Second.
>> Any comments? Not hearing any comments.
All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution 238 is approved. 239, please.
>> Resolution number 239 of 2025, budget
appropriation transfer.
>> I have a motion
moved. Second. Any comments?
[clears throat]
I hear any comments. All in favor? Any
opposed?
>> I hear any opposed. 239 is approved.
Number 240. Resolution number 240 of
2025, resolution approving a
person-toperson transfer of plenary
retail consumption license number
0121-33-
012-009
from SSD Diner LLC the Wind Jammer to
Webster SP LLC.
>> Have a motion. I'll make that motion. I
have a second.
>> Second.
>> Any comments?
>> Uh just one question. Uh, does anybody
know whether they're going to do any
major renovation or
>> I believe they are. Yes.
>> Okay. Just questions I've been getting
out on the street. They uh I just like
to point out, not to interrupt you, but
the uh
>> one new owner is here, Chris.
>> Tommy does
I like to welcome the summer's point and
I look forward to the invest the
investment.
And I also like to wish the uh previous
owners of the Wind Jammer uh good luck
in their retirement. I I always enjoyed
going there. They always treated me
rather well. Thank you.
>> Yeah. I would also like to just say I'll
miss the Wind Jammer. That was my weekly
place to go. And uh friendly family,
really good people and um I don't like
the what's been in the news that they
abruptly closed. this was not in an
abrupt situation or not an easy decision
for them to make. So, um I would have
missed them, but welcome to Summers
Point. I look forward to something new.
>> Yes. There you go. Any other comments?
Not hearing any comments. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution number 240 is approved.
Number 241. Resolution number 241 of
2025 authorizing executive session
advice of council and attorney client
privilege communication regarding issues
that have developed in connection with
the contract between the city of Summers
Point and Mox 5 relative to inventorying
computer records. We
>> have a motion moved. Have
>> a second. Second.
>> All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
241 is approved. Number 242.
>> Resolution number 242 of 2025
authorizing executive session advice of
council and attorney client privilege
communication regarding contractual
negotiations between the city of Summers
Point and the New Jersey State Health
Benefit Program.
>> Have a motion. I'll make that motion. We
have a second.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution 242 is approved. 243, please.
>> Resolution number 243 of 2025, awarding
bid for the Gateway Theater roof
replacement.
>> We have a motion.
>> So moved.
>> We have a second.
>> Second.
>> Any comments?
Hearing any comments? All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing. Any opposed?
Resolution 243 is approved. May I have a
motion and a second to um approve the
consent agenda?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Okay. Any comments? Not hearing any
comments. All in all in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
The consent agenda is approved. Do we
have any old business?
>> Oh, wait a minute. I'm sorry. I'm too um
Oh, that's right. You have you have any
uh old business?
>> No.
>> Okay. Any new business?
>> Not hearing any new business. Uh Mr.
Frost, discussion of the bills, please.
>> Sure. Uh this evening we have billless
totaling 4,22,267.
We do have one additional payments
$1,000.
>> Okay.
All right. May I have a motion to open
for public comment, please?
>> I'll make that motion. May I have a
second?
>> Second.
>> All in favor? Any opposed? We're now
open for public comment.
Hi, Moren Hellbig 106 East Stalls. I
just wanted to bring to your attention
the um city's website and the problem
that um I've been finding. So, if you if
you wanted to uh see anything about city
council, um it brings you to the page
where city council it lists everyone and
then at the bottom it'll say upcoming
meeting and usually it'll reference the
correct meeting, council meeting and the
date. And then there's a spot that says
view document. And if you click that, it
always takes you to an error page. So
that's it. Um, tonight it says planning
board meeting November 19th starting at
and then you hit view document, it takes
you to the arrow page.
I happen to know this that if you go to
the left side and click city council,
you have to be very particular because
it'll say meetings um and you have to
work at it to get it. Click it and it'll
take you to the summary of your meeting
to this
>> to that. Yep.
>> Right. But not everybody knows to go to
that and click it. Now, if you do it
tonight, it just takes you right back to
this page. So, it is a problem and I
think a lot of people would probably
give up and just figure, oh, her page
and not be able to see what's on your
agenda. So, I'm just hoping at some
point you guys can get this fixed.
>> Jason, can you take that one on and see
what we can do?
>> Okay,
>> we'll [clears throat] work on that.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you. I'll bring it on.
Good evening [clears throat] everybody.
John Hellbig 106 East Daws. Um I have a
what [clears throat] I asked Mr. Smith
to distribute is a resolution that was
recently passed by the city of Margate.
Um, I've recently become informed that
the Department [snorts] of the Interior,
the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is
started the process to undertake lease
arrangements on the outer continental
shelf for oil and gas drilling. Again,
um, they're putting together a five-year
program. Part of this is going to be
potentially leasing areas off of
southern New Jersey for oil and gas
exploration.
Um, I would hope we could reach a
unanimous consensus here on this is a
short-sighted and potentially disastrous
program. Um, dozens of communities have
passed resolutions similar to this. If
you look at this resolution, I don't
think there's any difference between
what Margate has put together and what
the issues are here in Summers Point.
Clean water is critical to our
environment. Obviously, it's critical to
our economy. uh our marinebased economy
here in Summers Point. Um so I'd be
happy to try and bring council up to
date as this policy or program gets
forward. But in the interim, I would
really appreciate it if you could study
this and and potentially pass a similar
type resolution like dozens of other
communities have done in New Jersey.
Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Not seeing anyone else for public
comment. I get one more. Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't see him there.
>> Sorry about that, sir.
>> Oh, that's quite a right, gentlemen.
First time seeing all of you. My name is
Ed Dixon. I live at 3507 Asbury Avenue
in Ocean City.
And I would like to thank all of you for
all you do to honor our military
veterans.
the Memorial Day tributes,
the 81st anniversary of our invasion of
Normandy, June 6th of the July 4th
Independence Day and Veterans Day, which
we've just passed. Great day also
a great tribute to our military veterans
still fighting today in foreign
countries to preserve our freedom.
There is an idea that I would like all
of you to consider.
I am here to ask mayor and councel
of summer's point to consider dedicating
the month of August to our military
veterans.
They have allowed us to live in freedom.
They have suffered many sacrifices for
us and their families.
I hope that many Americans across our
country could see the entire month
dedicated to our military veterans.
I have talked with Nick Purcell,
commander of your VFW,
and he liked the idea, and we will get
together again and talk.
I hope all of you can agree we have the
250th anniversary of our country coming
up uh next summer.
It is the veteran, not the preacher, who
has given us the freedom of religion.
It is the veteran, not the reporter, who
has given us the freedom of press.
It is the veteran, not the poet, who has
given us freedom of speech.
It is the veteran, not the campus
organizer, who has given us freedom to
assemble.
It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who
has given us the right of a fair trial.
It is the veteran, not the politician,
who has given us the right to vote.
I thank you for your attention
and may God bless you all. Thank you
sir. Thank you. Thank you.
[applause]
Right. Do we have anyone else that wants
to have a public comment right now since
I missed the last one? All right.
Doesn't look that way. May I have a
motion to close for public comment?
>> Motion to close. I have a second.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> Any oppose? Not hearing any opposed. We
are now closed for public session. I may
have a motion to pay the bills.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Have a second.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Any opposed? Mr. Frost, you
can pay the bills. Does anyone have any
further comments?
>> Yeah. Council Council President. Yes,
sir.
>> For clarification, uh, when I came in
here tonight, it was the Well, I'll back
up. When I first I was absent at the
last first reading of the ebike and I
came in here with full intention of
voting as it stood, but after hearing
the public speak and also at least two
of our council people speak and make an
amendment, uh I just felt it was
necessary for us to take another look
and approve an amendment that would
maybe satisfy more people than just a
flatout No. So, I just wanted to clarify
my reason for voting, it was because I
did not attend the last meeting and when
I heard the public input and the council
people speaking, I just felt that it was
a good compromise and that's why I voted
the way I did. Well, tonight for me was
a step forward in this ebike arena
because over for over two years,
deliberations have been had, but no
action was taken. Tonight, I think we
took some action and hopefully we can
come up with a good solution at the next
meeting so that we can take even further
action. So,
as I said, argue, maybe I meant to read,
but I was more than happy at least to
move something forward [clears throat]
and I think that's a good step for us as
a council. Anybody else have any
comments?
Not hearing any comments. All right. Um,
we're going to go into executive
session. Um, Shelby says it's going to
take four minutes today for to get into
executive session rather than three. But
I thank everybody for coming out. I
don't think we're going to be taking any
action.