City Council 6/26/2025

line split and it was so hot it lit the
whole pump up and down there burning.
That's what happens.
Yeah.
Is it possible it could have exploded?
Got to hold on here for a second. Yeah,
could have. Yeah. So, at the airport
they brought the trash trucks over and
sprayed it down. We had to throw the
That was correct.
Was this exercise of the day or
[Music]
who bought the com? What are you looking
for?
Vince was one of the kids. Oh, okay.
From his father. And uh let's call this
meeting to order and we're going to have
a flag salute. Gotcha.
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.
Good evening everybody. Madame clerk,
may we have a roll call, please? Council
member here. Council member Dill here.
Council member Gity here. Council member
Johnston here. Council member Mcwigan
here. Council member Owen here. Council
President Habercorn present. Also
present is administrator Frost, city
clerk Keith, city solicitor Smith, and
city engineer Snider.
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 on the
city's website, summersggov.org.
Pursuant to city code AE266-8P
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'd like to pull
resolution number 165 at Mr. Snider's
request. First on the agenda is a
presentation for Mr. Snyder on uh safe
routes to school. It's a public
information meeting.
Mr. item. The floor is yours. So, the uh
city received a $771,000
grant from the Department of
Transportation for safe routes to school
and part of the grant process before we
submit plans for review to the DOT is we
have to have a uh public information
meeting where the public could have
comments. Uh the first there's two main
locations. First, and I'll just put this
up to the public want to see.
The first is along the lake head from
New Jersey Avenue to
just
the proposed improvements include new
crosswalks and handicap ramps from the
other side of the street so that the uh
leg path is more accessible. That's the
uh basically the first area for the
project. Like I said, it goes from New
Jersey Avenue and then uh a lot of the
work is along Maryland and Golden Avenue
because there's no sidewalks to actually
get to the fight. So there the ADA
concrete ramps and cross.
The second portion of the project
is along West Laurel Drive and as you
know the uh road school is over there.
So
received a grant. Um, that portion of
the project includes new crosswalks and
uh curb extensions. I did give city
council an example of what curb
extensions are. Basically, at the
intersection, you would narrow the
roadway. Uh, West Laurel Drive is fairly
wide for a typical roadway. And even
though it's 25 miles per hour, um
traffic calming is achieved through
making the roadway appear more narrow.
The drivers automatically slow down when
they think the road, you know, when it
looks more narrow. Um so what you do is
you narrow the roadway to the the width
only required for traffic to to cross at
those uh intersections. Therefore, you
it'll should slow drivers down. Now,
part of that would also include
rectangular rapid flashing beacons,
which we have, you know, some places in
another town. We push the button and the
yellow lights flash. Um, and also
include some radar feedback effect signs
so people know how fast they're actually
going on the street. I know the police
department does an excellent job, you
know, tracking speed of people on there,
but this should hopefully help, you
know, when they're not able to to be out
there. They can't be out there 24 hours
a day, 365 days. Um there's also a small
portion along the uh Dobs Avenue where
there's that sidewalk by New Jersey
American that's also included in this
project. Um but that's pretty much the
scope of it. If any other members of
city council have any questions or if
the public does
uh Mr.
This is just a generic chair, but this
is the concept you want to put on Laurel
Drive. Yes. And and you called this the
narrowing of the
street. Yeah, that's traffic comes
curious.
As a driver, we call that a bottleneck.
But but it this is just the two lanes.
You're not you're not shortening or
squeezing the room for the cars to pass.
Just the No, for the actual travel
lanes, they're not getting small. Okay.
This it'd be actually the the the
shoulder area
and this is a proven it is an effective
uh method. Thank you.
Looks like an accident to me.
Right. Any comments? Does anyone Does
anyone have any comments for Mr. Snider
other than Mr. Williams?
I'm not hearing any. Okay. All right.
Thank you. Thank you. You don't need to
open it to public or
does anybody from the public have any
comments about what Mr. Schneider just
presented?
Not seeing any.
We'll move on to the next part of the
agenda. Thank you. All right. I'm going
to move um resolution number 154 to the
top of the agenda. May I have a motion
to open up for public comment for
resolution number 154 only? So moved. I
have a second. Second. All in favor? I.
Any opposed? Not hearing. Any opposed?
We are now open for public session on
resolution number 154 only.
I have a motion to close the public
session. I have a second. Second.
All in favor? I. Any opposed? Not
hearing any opposed, we are now close
for public session on resolution number
154 only.
Resolution number 154 of 2025 honoring
Eagle Scout Carson Endicott. Whereas
Carson Endicott has lived in Summers
Point, New Jersey his entire life. began
his scouting journey at the age of six
and is now a proud grad graduate of
Mainland Regional High School. And
whereas Scouting America empowers the
next generation through transformative
programs that instill confidence,
independence, and a deep dedication to
serving others. And whereas Carson
Endicott, a dedicated member of Troop 94
of the Jersey Shore Council, has
distinguished himself through his
exceptional commitment to the values of
scouting America and has earned the
highest honor a scout can achieve, the
prestigious Eagle Scout Award. And
whereas the Eagle Scout Award is a
lifelong distinction symbolizing
outstanding leadership, perseverance,
and service qualities that will continue
to inspire others and serve as a
testament to Carson's character. And
whereas Carson raised over $15,000 in
funds and secured more than $10,000 in
supply donations to complete a
spectacular enhancement to the Richard
Summers Memorial Park for his Eagle
Scout project, collaborating with the
Summers Point Historical Society to
honor the country's greatest naval war
hero and the city's favorite son,
Richard Summers. And whereas Carson in
conjun conjunction with troop 94 planned
all aspects of the project and
supervised fellow scouts and volunteers
to bring this beautiful project to
completion. One of the many critical
steps in his pursuit of the Eagle Scout
rank, the highest achievement in
scouting America. And now therefore, be
it resolved that the mayor and city
council of Summers Point extend their
heartfelt congratulations to Carson
Endicott for his remarkable achievement
and express their sincere gratitude for
his dedication, leadership, and positive
influence on the youth of our community.
Be it further resolved that the mayor
and city council of Summers Point thank
Troop 94 of the Southern Shore District
of the Jersey Shore Council Scouting
America for their support of Carson and
their valuable contributions to his
project. May I have a motion to approve?
I'll make that motion. May I have a
second? Second. Any comments?
Thank you, uh, Mr. President. Uh Carson,
uh congratulations on you completing
this all this work. You should be very
proud of yourself as as I'm sure uh the
rest of council and myself are very
proud of you. Um it it it's a it's a
wonderful start and and you have a very
bright future in front of you. Um I just
want to note uh you know we've had a lot
of talk about people that invest in this
community and so forth. uh those two
people sitting behind you have clearly
invested in this community and invested
in you. And when we talk about
investments, we would talk about the
return on investments and and clearly
they're getting a return on investment
by producing such a fine young gentleman
like yourself and and and obviously that
we're going to hear from the next uh the
next Endicott. So, uh, they're doing
something right and and we're very
fortunate that they're in this community
because they do a lot of things right
for this community and for their family.
So, congratulations, Carson. Thank you.
Any other comments? Uh, Mr. Chairman.
Yes. Uh, I would just like to relay a
message from the Summers Point
Historical Society. It was our honor to
be involved in this project and it was
great working with you and we're looking
forward to working with you in the
future
and uh came out great. You did a good
job. So,
any other comments? Uh I just have a
comment. Uh I was reading something the
other day where uh only 4% of scouts
attain the level of Eagle Scout. And
Carson, that's a that's a great
achievement. And we had one two meetings
ago, our last meeting. So, we've had two
in a matter of a month here that have
been able to accomplish that. I think
that speaks volumes for the town and for
the program here. So, thank you very
much. Anybody else with any comments? If
not, I need to know. All in favor? I.
Any opposed? Nobody's opposed. That's
good. Resolution number 154 is approved.
And we have a presentation for Carson.
It's actually what uh uh Shelby read,
but we also have one from the Great Egg
Harbor River Council recognizing the
work you did. Uh Mr. Gregory was going
to be here to do it tonight, but he's
unable to attend. So, we're going to
present you with both. So, if you'd like
to come up, Mr. McGuigan, if you'd like
to help me present this, I would
appreciate it. Sure. Where's the mayor?
He's not here.
He's got other engagements. It's his
42nd wedding anniversary. So that's what
it was. Oh, that's what it was. I should
have remember.
That's right.
I knew it was something
that's
like Oh.
Shall we
must
reception?
I love the recogn.
All right, so uh let's move to uh
special presentations and let's stay
with the Endicott family. Eli, come on
up.
Greg, did you take down the stand
already? Okay, that's fine. Do you think
you're the only one presentation?
Sorry, Greg.
Made a trip. Go ahead, Eli. Um, today I
am here to ask for your guys's approval
for my Eagle Scout project, which it is
um
an add-on to uh the project that was
done before, which I'm going to be
adding a paver pathway to the handicap
accessessible ramp. I'm also going to be
repainting this wall and then cleaning
the brush and all that and like
retrimming it. And then I'm going to be
adding huge planters like with flowers,
everything to make it look more
pleasantly appealing. And then also
going to add drip irrigation to them so
they can stay watered cuz how hot it
gets over there. Mhm. And then to add a
tree, a native tree to New Jersey so we
have more shade. And then depending on
how much money I raise, um, an add-on
would be to add a gazebo there if
there's enough room and everything. And
if I raise enough money
library, you guys
impressive the Richard Summers. Is there
a source? Is there already irrigation
there? General uh no lawn irrigation. So
where where would the sources of water
come from? The building. Okay.
And you mapped all that out or to be
done yet? Not yet. Okay. The mechanical
room is right on the other side of that
wall there. We'll be able to get out.
Yeah. Yeah. Just a big hammer for break
comes out from that. There's a host
right there.
Looks good to me. I don't you know, I
think it's fantastic. Are you going to
uh as uh your brother did, are you going
to coordinate that with our dear friends
at the historical society? Yes. Yeah,
it's already in operation. Okay. Mhm.
Walt Gregory's in charge of that.
Is there any coordination that has to be
done with public works or anything like
that?
No. Should be okay. Yeah. All right.
That's the good news. They do all the
work. So, you know, absolutely. Anybody
have a will be the uh first person to
donate to builder to this project. And I
and I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I
didn't get a brick in the last project.
I have an opportunity to get a brick
here. Yes, for the pathway society
brick. You're going to have to move. I'm
on a fixing.
All right.
A straw vote to make sure we're all uh
in agreement to go ahead with this. Um
Mr. Gary. Yeah. Good to go.
Yes. 100%. Yeah. Mr. McGuigan. Yes, Mr.
Dill. Yes, absolutely. M. Johnston. Yes,
Mr. Depends. Yes. All right, we got a
unanimous because I'm for it, too. Thank
you so much. Thank you.
All right, moving right along. Anyone
have any communications? Not hearing any
and the mayor's not here, but I am going
to just talk a little bit about
something that happened this week here
in city council chambers. On Monday, we
had a cyber presentation that was put
on. Had about 30 people attend. Uh was
wellreceived.
Um and um I'd like to thank June Burns,
one of our county commissioners for
putting it together. Uh it was well
done. We had the chief of police to
sheriff. We had the county clerk and the
surrogate here. So we had a good good
sharing, a lot of questions and uh and
people were were happy with it. The
mayor was also here. Administrative
report. Jason. Uh he had nothing uh this
evening. He had something for um old
business later, but uh nothing to report
right now. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Smith. I
have nothing,
Mr. Snider. Uh just one item. on the uh
Shore Road project pedestrian
improvements uh is continuing now that
uh school has been let out um because of
we don't want to interfere with any more
of the uh restaurants along Shore Road
after this week we're moving over
towards um starting at Ocean Avenue
between Ocean and Dolls will be working
to take advantage that the school is you
know closed for the summer so it makes
sense to move operations back over
there. How long will that uh project
take over there? Um well, we're going
all the way down Short Road, so it's
going to be in phases. From there,
they're going to keep going down
southbound. And then the plan is
obviously do um there's some
improvements at Harbor Lane and Bethl at
Shore Road before school also the St.
Joe's school. Okay.
All right. Is that it? Uh any committee
reports?
Council President,
Mr. D. Okay. Uh just a report on the
planning board. Last Wednesday we met
and the planning board approved
a bank uh Chase Bank for the uh to be
located in the Summers Point Shopping
Center. That's for PE for the public.
It's in the Summers Point Shopping
Center close to the Acme and that was
approved unanimously by the board. Thank
you, Mr. Dwan. Yes. Uh, Council
President, uh, the Summers Point Arts
Commission, we met this past Monday
night. Uh, we had a special guest come
in. His name was Eduardo Jimenez. He was
introduced by, uh, China as our special
guest for the evening. He'll be doing,
uh, in August 9th, the recycled he'll be
doing a workshop called Recycled Tides.
Eduardo gave a brief bio, showed
examples of his work. He explained how
he got started collecting trash and
especially myar balloons that washed up
on the beach in Brigantine. He's from
Brigantine.
He even uses recycled wood to make all
his frames for as well as recycled
cardboard for the backing uh for his
artwork. Um so it was really amazing
everything that he brought to the table
and uh we're looking forward to having
him. Uh, probably the only thing that
that wasn't uh recycled is probably just
a little bit of Elmer's glue to make
everything uh come together uh in in his
artwork. Uh secondly, uh coming up next
month, uh Kennedy Park, there's going to
be a mosaic flower pot mosaic flower
pots. Uh that's going to be basically uh
uh Jenny
um
trying to think of the last name.
Anyway, uh Swift, uh shout out to Jenny
Swift. She's going to be basically
teaching the course, putting together,
uh flower pots with mosaic, uh artwork
on it. It's also going to include lunch.
I believe it's $30, but more more will
be coming out uh forthcoming in the
media and that's uh July 12th.
Thank you. Any other committee reports?
Uh Mr. Chairman? Yes, sir. Mr. Uh last
night EDAC met uh Chuck Wescott is back
uh as chairman. Uh we discussed the
Garvey races which are this Sunday uh 10
to uh 3:00 we'll be down there.
uh we discussed that if the Garvey races
are going to be successful and move
forward, we have to start like a year in
advance doing this stuff because trying
to put things together in two months is
is not enough. So what we're going to
need from them is after their successful
Sunday is a commitment that they're
coming back next year and then start put
the pieces together on working it into
we decided that probably uh get some of
the marinas involved, do a mini boat
show, seafood fest type thing. Uh years
ago we did a chowder contest down there
and stuff, incorporate a few things to
appeal to families to add into the
racing and see if we can develop that
into an event. So that was what EDAC
discussed they were going to do last
night. They also talked about the
property on Route 9 and 559.
Uh Max is the head of that uh committee
along with uh John Hellbig and they were
reaching out to someone that uh Max
knows that it's an environmental expert
to interpret the reports that we have
and give a better understanding to us as
to uh what the hurdles are with that
property. So all right, thank you. Any
other committee reports? Okay, not
hearing any other committee reports. Um,
make it a motion uh for the approval of
the minutes from the June 12th, 2025
meeting. I'll make that motion. May I
have a second? Second. Any comments? Not
hearing any comments. All in favor? I.
Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
The above mentioned meeting minutes are
approved. We move on to ordinances. We
have one ordinance tonight which is a
second reading. Madam clerk, ordinance
number 14 of 2025, an ordinance fixing
the salaries, wages, and compensation of
the officers and employees of the city
of Summers Point, County of Atlantic,
state of New Jersey. May I have a motion
to open up for the public on uh
ordinance number 14? So moved. I have a
second. Thank you. Um all in favor? I.
Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
We're now open for public comment on
ordinance number 14.
Motion to close the public portion. May
I have a second? Second. All in favor?
Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
And we're now closed on ordinance number
14 for public comment. May I have a
motion to adopt? How about a comment?
Oh, I haven't gotten that before, but
that's okay. Go ahead. Oh, I'm sorry. Go
ahead. Go ahead, sir. I just want to
note that this will be the 18th year in
a row that uh I vote for an ordinance
that doesn't include a race for myself.
Well, aren't you special?
Okay. May I have a motion to adopt? I'll
make that motion. May I have a second?
Second.
Any comments other than what Mr.
McGwigan made? No, we're not hearing any
comments. All in favor? I. Any opposed?
Not hearing any opposed. Ordinance
number 14 is adopted. Um, now I'd like
to have a motion to open up for public
comment on resolutions only.
I have a motion, please. So moved. I
have a second. Second. All in favor? Any
opposed? Not hearing any opposed. We are
now open for public comment on
resolutions only.
I have a motion to close public comment.
Motion to close public. Second. All in
favor? I. Any opposed? Not hearing any
opposed. We are now closed for public
comment on resolutions. Madame clerk,
number 155, please. Resolution number
155 of 2025. Resolution establishing
salaries for non-contractual employees
of the city of Summers Point for 2025. I
have a motion. I'll make that motion. I
have a second. Second. Any comments? Not
hearing. Any comments. All in favor? I.
Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution number 155 is now approved.
Number 156. Resolution number 156 of
2025, employee advancement of Steven
Hornik. I have a motion. Second. Any
comments?
Yeah. Go ahead, Mr. Mcwigan. One of my
favorite employees. Thank you.
Is that your only comment?
Anybody? Anybody else have any comments?
We are lucky to have Steve.
Mr. D, I was I I can't say enough about
what the dedication Steve gives to this
city. He's not only involved as an
employee, but he's involved in many
other uh parts of the city and
committees. And I thank you for what you
do for the city or in general.
Yeah, Council President. Yes, Mr. Yes,
Stephen's always there to answer the
call whenever things happen here in town
and making sure everything flows
downhill, which I really appreciate here
in town knowing all
knowing all the lift stations that we
have here in town and and especially uh
as well as volunteerism, you know, here
in town with uh all that you do. We
appreciate it, Mr. Gary.
uh long overdue
and congratulations if we vote for it,
you know. So, but uh you deserve it. One
of the best that I've had the pleasure
of working with.
So,
anybody else? Anybody else? Steve,
always pleasure to work with you. Thank
you for all you do. All right. All in
favor? I. Any opposed? Any opposed?
Not hearing any opposed. Resolution
number 156 is approved.
Uh number 157, please. Resolution number
157, 2025, employee advancement of
Amanda Forshaw.
I have a motion. I'll make that motion.
I have a second. Second. Any comments?
Mandy has a lot of uh positive and
strong energy. She's a pleasure to be
around.
Any other comments?
All in favor? I. Any
opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution number 157 is approved. Uh
number 158, please. Resolution number
158 of 2025, employee advancement of
Brianna McNair. I'll make that motion.
I'll second. Any comments?
Very hardworking and dedicated employee.
One of the hardest working employees we
have. When I walk downstairs most days,
Brianna's always there with a smile on
her face doing her job and sitting at
her desk and getting it done. Anybody
else? Not hearing any comments. All in
favor? Any opposed? Not hearing any
opposed. Resolution number 158 is
approved.
Number 159. Resolution number 159 of
2025, employee advancement of Moren
Dewise. I have a motion. I'll make that
motion. I have a second. Second. Any
comments? Yeah, Council President, I've
had uh many opportunities because of her
being the secretary in public works uh
to deal with her and to try to get
things accomplished and she's very
hardworking and a long-term employee and
uh it's welld deserved.
Any other comments? Very dedicated and
like Mr. Gill said, very loyal employee.
Glad to have it. Any other comments? All
in favor? Hi. Any opposed? Not hearing
any opposed. Resolution number 159 is
approved. Let's see. Number 15 160, I'm
sorry. Resolution number 160 of 2025
acknowledging and approving the hiring
of a full-time laborer, namely Julian
Oasio.
Have a motion. I'll make that motion. I
have a second. Second. Any comments? You
council president. Um, for the public,
for public knowledge, this is not a new
hire. This is an advancement of a
part-time employee to full-time. And
it's welld deserved. He's motivated and
uh we should have as we should have so
many employees as motivated as a
part-time employee who wanted to be a
full-time in the city.
Any other comments? Not hearing any
comments. All in favor? Any opposed? Not
hearing any opposed. Number 160 is
approved.
Number 161. Resolution number 161 of
2025. Resolution of the council of the
city of Summers Point endorsing the
housing element and fair share plan
adopted by the Summers Point Planning
Board. Have a motion. I'll make that
motion. Have a second. Second. Uh
comments. I'd like to thank Tim Canaran
who's here today. He's from Kier's
Engineering and Design. and he's their
regional uh discipline leader and has
put a lot of work in with his staff as
well as our affordable housing attorney
to come up with a comprehensive plan.
There wasn't any uh questions during the
public side and bringing up Tim and you
did present um previously to the
planning board and I think uh it was
well received by the planning board as
was uh one comment that was made at the
end was that it was one of the most
comprehensive reports that they've ever
seen and Mr. Dill, you were part of that
meeting. So, would you like to share?
Yeah, I would just like to thank Tim for
all his hard work and putting a very
difficult understanding of fair share
housing into a perspective. I think that
I know at least the planning board and
I'm sure council uh is much better off
uh understanding what's going on and
where we stand. And Tim, I just want to
thank you for all your efforts. You're
welcome. Thanks. Any other comments?
Oh, by the way, the planning board
adopted it unanimously. Sorry about
that. Okay. Uh, all in favor? I opposed.
Oh, I'm sorry. I I have to do a roll
call. Your approval of the plan as
you did tell me that, Mr. Smith. I'm
sorry. So, can we have a roll call,
please? Sure. Council Council Member
Johnston.
Yes. Council member Owen. As as written,
I approve of the Yes, please again one
more time. Please clarify your voting to
endorse it but also based upon the
report as that has been written and
adopted. Okay. Please. Okay. State your
approval of it. We need to confirm the
action that we and you're supporting the
action of the planning board as it was
already taken. Okay. I Yes. I'm a yes. I
support the as written and especially
the part about the Summers Point
apartments
we do. So, thank you for that.
Okay, next. Council member Owen. Yes, as
written, as supported. Appreciate it.
Council member Deanis, yes, as adopted.
Council member Gerity. Yes, as reported.
Council member Mcwigan. Uh
yes, it and it it uh it's difficult to
uh articulate uh how wonderful this is
for the city and and I I agree with the
planning board's u approval of it and uh
and again I congratulate the
professionals that worked on this Mr.
Kernan as well as uh Mr. Edwards and Mr.
Olson. Thank and M.
Thank you. Council member D. Uh yes uh
as written and uh uh approved by the uh
planning board. Council President
Habercorn. Yes. As approved by the
planning board and as written.
All right. So that's approved.
162
163 163. Resolution number 163 of 2025
authorizing executive session
advice of council and attorney client
privilege communication regarding the
potential contract between the city of
Summers Point and the Mox 5 relative to
inventory and computer records. May I
have a motion? I'll make that motion. I
have a second. Second. Any comments? Not
hearing any comments. All in favor? I.
Any opposed? Resolution number 163 is
approved. Go back. Are we not doing 162?
We are. Okay. Just uh Sorry, I'm a
little out of order in the paper. Oh,
okay. So, we're going backwards on this
one. Okay. Resolution 162 of 2025
authorizing a contract for AEDs to be
installed and maintained by Cintas
Corporation. I have a motion. So moved.
Have a second. Second. Any comments, Mr.
President? Yes, sir. The plan is to have
one of these installed in each of our
recreation facilities.
So, if you see me lay on the ground,
grab one. Thank you. Uh, this has been a
little bit in the works here. Uh, over a
year ago, there's some work that started
on this to put together um what's the
best ones to purchase and how to go
about purchasing them. We got some input
from the wreck uh board through uh
people reaching out from the community
to the rec board. So, this is a response
to a need that's uh now going to be
taken care of. Any other comments? Yeah,
council president. Yes. Like they say in
first aid and AED class, uh every second
counts. So, this is really a plus. you
know, for one comes down to saving
somebody's life, whether it's on the
ball field or, you know, somewhere
within within the recreational area.
Any other comments? Not hearing any
other comments. All in favor? I Any
opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution number 162 is approved. Okay,
we did 163. So, let's move on. And I
need a motion and a second uh for the
consent agenda. So moved. Second. Any
comments? Just a note, you're take you
took 165 out of that. Yes, 165 was taken
out at the beginning of the meeting at
the Mr. Snider's request.
Any other comments? Not hearing any
other comments. All in favor? I. Any
opposed? Not hearing any opposed. The
consent agenda is approved.
Old business. We have some old business
on here. Mr. Frost, you had made
referenced this in your report. Did you
wanted to talk about this? Yes. uh at
the last meeting resolutions uh 148 and
449 relative to the shared service
agreement with um pursuant to a
conversation between myself the business
administrator Galloway and um a
representative from the DCA those
agreements will have to be amended to be
for four years not to um that's for NJSA
4A 65-1
um unbeknownst to business administrator
Galloway and myself. Um they're not
allowed to be two years. They have to be
for years. We do have termination
clauses in both. So um it's really not
an issue and the way the resolutions
were written does give us the
flexibility to change the Okay. Okay.
Thank you. Any other um old business?
Not hearing any old business. Uh anyone
have any new business?
Not hearing any new business. Uh Mr.
Frost, you're up again. Sure.
This evening we have a bill list in the
amount of $15,66960.
Okay.
All right. We're going to open up. I
need a motion to open up for public
portion, please. I'll make that motion.
May I have a second? Second. All in
favor?
I. Any opposed? Hearing any opposed? We
are now open for public session.
Come on up. Yeah. We need you to state
your name and your address. And Mr.
Smith is handing out your handout. Thank
you.
Hello everybody. My name is uh Steve
Hanken.
I'm a an ancient Atlantic City attorney.
Very ancient as Mr. Not as ancient as
Mr. Smith, but I'm here tonight on
behalf of Gary Holloway, the owner of
the Point here in Summer's Point. Do we
get one? I'm here with Ed Bonsignor
who is the operating partner and person
who's president every night at the point
when it's open. Gary himself was to be
here tonight. His wife yesterday had
emergency surgery at Poli Hospital and
uh for those of us that are married, we
understand why he's not here. He's been
with his wife and understandably so. I'm
certain you understand that priority.
Uh my purpose, Gary's purpose in asking
me to comment. I appreciate the
opportunity to do this within three or
four minutes if if I can
and being here is to appeal to your
sense of fairness in our attempt to
resolve our difficulty with the present
noise ordinance that Summers Point has
had and has had before any of you served
here. you didn't pass. This was this is
been in in effect for some time
prohibiting any form of outside music,
no matter the level, no matter how loud
or how silent it may be after 11 p.m. We
don't want to litigate with the city.
That's the last damn thing we want to
do. That's that's a waste of Gary's
money. It's a waste of the city's money
in our opinion. Gary wants me to express
to you that he wants to be a good
citizen. He's tried to be he want he has
a respectable place of business and he
wants to simply be treated on a fair
uh playing field and he doesn't think he
he is not due to the city but just the
way the ordinance works out not that
it's aimed at him. We're not saying
that. uh since frankly since 2004 when
Gary uh first took over and had it had
the point. It was he he's had it since
then under various uh restaurant names.
Uh he's operated
rightfully or wrongfully with music
being played
till 2:00 a.m. in the morning.
Uh he's tried to be a good partner with
Summers Point. He's paid his taxes. He's
various contributions to the city.
He's hired a lot of local residents and
he wants to continue to operate. He's
not asking for a modification of your
ordinance to 2 p.m. It's our
understanding
again though, I want to focus on the
ordinance the way it is. Mr. Smith can
correct me as he often does. Uh, and
he's right usually when he does correct
me. as it now stands. No matter the
level of noise, it could be very soft
music. It could be heard five feet away
or 10 feet away. It doesn't have to be
loud. It doesn't have to be disturbing.
It can be electronic. Any music that's
played, any speaker that's outside after
11 p.m. Sorry, I need you to kind of
wrap it up here last time. No, I would.
Okay. I would like to hear very brief,
sir. That's I'm sorry. I would like to
any music after
Go ahead. Thank you. After 11 p.m. is
flatly prohibited on your ordinance,
while music generated inside
a restaurant with a license. The doors
could be open. They can be heard louder
than the outside music is is allowed to
play that music until 2:00 in the
morning when they close.
Now, I understand, and I may be wrong,
that the city may be willing, may be
willing, there's been some discussion, I
understand, to modify your ordinance to
allow music to be played outside till
midnight every night. Gary doesn't need
midnight. He doesn't care about midnight
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday. He's not looking to prostitute
himself with the city. He needs it only
on Friday and Saturday night till 1:00
a.m. within legal limits
and of course on the three holiday
weekends. I think it it it I passed out
a uh a little calendar of next year to
give you an idea. It amounts to I think
17 or 18 weekends and and the three
holiday weekends. That's it. That's
that's all he asked for. He does. Again,
he if you're willing to give him till
midnight, he doesn't need that. He's not
asking for more. He's not asking for
2:00 a.m. like others that can play
outside music that can be heard outside
as long as the speaker is inside till
till 2:00.
Uh the times
you may be saying to yourself, why are
you here? Why is there litigation over
one hour? Why wouldn't you be willing to
say? It's difficult to understand. But
today the times are a lot different. Uh
the difference in his ability to do
business from in that extra hour is very
important or I wouldn't be here tonight.
There wouldn't be any challenge to the
ordinance. Uh kids today and young
adults and he has a lot of young adults
in their 30s and 40s. You know, I'm in
bed at 6:30, but uh they're they're just
getting a shower about 8:00 or 9:00 and
they're out at 10 or 11:00. And that
extra hour means a lot to him. It allows
his business to survive. And so that's
what we're asking for. Making the more
the ordinance
uh more unfair is the fact that the the
point is not in a resident zone.
The use is permitted and it's not next
to any homes, non-conforming homes. It's
not next to any of that. Ed is here.
He's there every night. the point is
open to make sure that music and we've
had some issues in the last couple
years, but Ed is there now every night
to make sure the music is not
disturbing. So, I I would ask you in
your future deliberations so we can
hopefully get rid of this litigation to
think about amending the ordinance to
allow us to stay open, as I said, Friday
and Saturday night on the weekends. And
it's only it's only a seasonal operation
here. It's all outside except for the
little tiki hut and to allow uh the
service the music to to play until one
on Friday and Saturday and the three
weekends. And uh I'm sorry that I went
over but I appreciate that's okay. And
and I'm sure Tom will uh be in touch.
Thank you very much. I appreciate Thank
you. Thank you. Yes, sir.
Bill, you come up.
Good evening. Bill Collins, 8:14 Bay
Avenue. Just want to do a followup on
the boat ramps. Uh, I stood in front of
council two other times in the ordinance
were coming up, se second reading and so
forth. Just want to tell you it's not
working the way it's laid out. Just want
to give you some insight to some local
fishermen that I've spoke to over the
last couple weeks going back to Memorial
Day and got their take on what's going
on at at the boat ramp. First guy I
talked to uh Memorial Day
26. He was in a John vote. Do you want
I'm sorry to interrupt you but you want
to identify the people so that it has
if I had their names I don't have their
name other than they own the johnboat.
Okay. And I asked them about I just
introduced myself. I said what you know
how's fishing? You know I go from that
to the other thing and I said well what
about the launch permit? Oh you don't
need one. No one checks. It's free. Next
guy on June the 6th 4:30 two guys in a
pontoon boat. I asked them the same
thing about fishing. Asked if I needed
any kind of permit to park. One guy
responded, "I think so." And so online,
you can get a one day pass for $10,
which is reasonable, but he didn't get
one. Of course he didn't because they're
not available at that time. There was uh
seven trailers in the lot. One had a
permit sticker. Wednesday, June 11th,
one voter at the ramp in a makeover boat
said it was all it was a public dock.
they haven't charged in years. Another
voter said he they didn't charge last
year uh and the gates were up. Then they
took the gates down and removed the fee.
That was at 11:30. There were nine
trailers on the lot, zero permits.
Thursday, June 12th, 12:10, 16 trailers
on the lot, zero with permits. On
Father's Day was cold and overcast, 3:40
in the afternoon. The only reason I
stopped there because I saw a police
car. So, there was two cars on the lot.
One was Pennsylvania and one was New
Jersey. Pency Tag didn't have a sticker.
So, I'm waiting to see if the if the
officer would get out of the car and
pick it up or give them a summon.
Nothing. So, there's no enforcement
there. So, it's it's a real problem.
People don't think you need a permit.
The gates are up. They think it's free.
Don't take my word for it. You go down
there and talk to them. And if anybody
wants to see photographs of the trailers
and without the stickers, I have them on
my phone. happy to share it with you.
The sign's too small. It's not in a
conspicuous location.
You know, we got to do a better job
there. We talked about spending 152,000
on this process and we let it go by the
way wayside. It can be very, very, very,
very profitable. If somebody wants to
get involved to make this thing happen,
like I said before, if you take the
boats from Broadway all the way down to
Launch Avenue, there's over a thousand
boats to put in in the beginning of the
season, $10 and they come out at the
end. So, we already lost the beginning
of the season, but you don't have to
lose the back end of it. Um, voters in
trailer versus season, whole different
opportunity where the money comes in.
That's just a cash cow.
Does anybody know what the current
collection rate is or how much we've
taken in?
Is there anybody on council that's
directly responsible for the vote rate?
I just make a comment if I may. Sure,
please. We're issuing summones and you
don't need to necessarily get out of the
vehicle to write a summon that could be
mailed directly to the individual. Um,
so I just make that comment. Okay. Thank
you for that. listener
today
how he's modifying the uh the billing of
this then I would ask the next thing how
many tickets have been issued
you interrupt me I stop I'm done with
okay okay fine you know you get you ask
a question I'm responding to okay Um,
you know, it's it's disheartening that
there's there's such an opportunity
there. But again, let me let me go on.
Okay. The stickers are limited to when
you can purchase them. Monday through
Friday. No weekends.
We don't even go out of our way to cover
the machines to protect them against the
saw air. Um, I'll I'll make a comment
that one of the council members made
before.
Okay. She responsible.
Uh, and I just let me just finish with
this. The city website needs to be
updated. It still says seasonal seasonal
fees.
Then it says yearly passes available.
Nothing about a daily pass. So, I think
you need to look at it. And I'd
appreciate if somebody could get back to
me about who's in charge up there and
let's have a conversation because we
don't have to give away the season and
we don't have to have a conversation
next year and say, "Hey, we're losing
money." We're not losing money. There's
a great opportunity out there. Okay.
Thank you very much for your comment.
Thank you so much.
Motion to close public. Oh, we got
somebody. Sorry, Levi. I didn't see you
back there.
Not at all. I'm not my normal tire. I
know.
All right. I will set my timer. Thank
you. I appreciate that. Of course.
You're going to state your name and
address, too, right? I will read what is
ever on my sheet. So, let's hope earlier
me did. Yeah.
Good evening, council members. My name
is Levi Fox, and I continue to live at
90 Broadway. As many of you know, I wear
lots of hats as a public historian. uh
including that of a local small business
owner, Jersey Shore Chores, and a
longtime vice chair of the Historic
Preservation Commission, which I thought
this was a good representation of the
hat that I often wear to those meetings.
One of the hats I'm proudest to wear is
the one that I have on right now as part
of my teacher outfit at Immaculata
University where I am an assistant
professor in the department of civic
engagement. That is why I was so excited
yesterday to learn that I had in fact
qualified to run in the fall election
for council since I believe that in a
democracy voters always deserve a
choice. I've also learned over the last
year that there are many residents of
Summers Point who do not feel their
cries are being heard by the current
council. So I aim to also give them a
voice to that end. beyond the yard sign
saying Levi Fox, the choice that hears
your voice. I look forward over the next
few months to bring up issues that I
feel council should focus on.
One such issue that I know several
council members have expressed interest
in previously is the question of how to
prevent locals from being priced out of
their homes by rising rents. Indeed, as
I recall from the super fun public
policy engagement debate that we had in
this very room just a couple weeks ago
when we were talking about short-term
rentals. One of the arguments that was
articulated in favor of extending say
stays to 7 days was the impact on other
rental prices. I therefore want to urge
council to pursue an idea suggested last
fall to create a committee to study how
the city might implement reasonable rent
control throughout Summers Point. I
myself might suggest something like a 5%
increase uh cap per year as other cities
throughout New Jersey have done
approximately.
Uh but I certainly defer to the council
as to the specifics that'll make sense
for our community. Uh I will instead try
to focus on uh trying out some other
hats to make this campaign uh as fun as
it can possibly be and to draw attention
to politics. So to that end, I thank you
all. Um and I'll leave the last 18
seconds to someone else.
Thank you. Thank you. Thanks.
Matt, by the way, I just wanted to thank
council for the ads. I was part of
direct board and also street hockey. It
was a big thing that we insurance they
were looking for. So, I just wanted to
thank uh city council for getting ads
for us and thanks for approving my son's
project today. Thank you. Thank you for
your comments. Uh council president,
while Mr. Randicott was up. Uh, I
donated it to Carson's uh, project. Uh,
I don't want to discriminate against his
younger brother. So therefore, your
older brother, younger brother, younger,
younger. That's why I thought I was
right the first time, but the look on
your face. I would like to donate $100
to his uh, his project. There you go.
Wow.
All right. Anybody else have any public
comments? Come on up, sir. Just one real
quick. In the past seven months, I've
been taking my wife to cardiac rehab on
P on Shore Road and I come down
Pennsylvania. My name is Jam Oswald, 500
Pennsylvania Avenue. And one of the
things I've been noticing and I saw
today taking her cardiac rehab is at the
bike trail. When you bring that up, when
you're heading, let's say, west away
from the shore, shore road on
Pennsylvania a Pennsylvania Avenue and
you hit the bike trail, you see a stop
sign
and it was only recently, well, I
shouldn't say recently, but when you go
there, you see a stop sign, but before
you hit the stop sign, there's a bike
pail.
And I just saw kids this morning, and
you know, I edged up very, very slowly
because they were coming down. And of
course, they didn't stop, but I think
that's a very I I don't know if there's
anything when you're doing your safe
roads to school if there's something
could be done on that because I think
it's I've seen it many many times and
people walking, but walking is one
thing, but when you see the bikes coming
past,
I'm not the engineer. I have no idea
what to do. But while you're doing
crosswalks and what have you, I think
that that's, you know, I I ride bikes on
the bike path many times, but that's a
really dangerous area because when
you're heading west, you look to your
left, you can't see a dog on thing.
Maybe you could cut some I I don't know
what it is. I don't know. It's private,
but just something to take into
consideration. So, I think it's it's a
danger to the the the the people riding
on the bike trail. There's no easy easy
explan easy you know result to this but
just take that into consideration. Thank
you. Thank you.
Anybody else? Motion to close the public
portion. Have a second. Second. All in
favor? I opposed. Not hearing any
opposed. We now closed the public
session. Uh payments of the bills. May I
have a motion? I make that motion. I
have a second. Second. All in favor? Any
opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Comments from the governing body. I I do
have one I'd like to make. Um it's kind
of along your lines with the bicycle
safety. Uh right now schools are closed.
There's more bicyclist out all day long
coming up and down. Um, I ask that
bicyclists follow the rules, wear the
proper gear, as well as the drivers of
vehicles to make sure we are staying at
the speed limits and following all stop
signs and coming to a complete stop. It
is a public safety issue. I saw that
back there pointing to your son. It is a
public safety issue and I just want to
call it to everybody's attention because
I am hearing a lot of comments about the
bicycle safety and the scooter safety
and wearing the helmets and all that
from the public. So, I'm just going to
make the public plea that please follow
the rules so we all can enjoy the
summer. We don't want to have to hear
what we're hearing about in some other
areas where these accidents are
occurring. So, please get the word out.
Any other comments for governing body?
Not hearing any of those. Okay, we're
going to go into executive session. Uh
we're going to take a brief break, then
we'll go in executive session. I don't
believe we're going to take any uh
action coming out. I appreciate
everybody coming out. You