City Council Meeting 9/25/2025

Son,
[Music]
>> call this meeting to order. All rise for
a flag salute and please stay standed as
the mayor is going to take us to a
moment of silence after the flag salute.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for it stands one nation under
God indivisible with liberty and justice
for all.
>> And what I'm asking for is a moment of
silence. Uh one of our firefighters,
Tony Clerico, his wife unexpectedly
passed away at the age of 61. Uh Tony
was a volunt he is a volunteer fireman.
Uh so is his son Tony Jr. and uh so is
his uh his wife's brother Chris Martin.
So if we have a moment of silence,
please
rest in peace. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for that. Um
Madame Clerk, may we have a roll call,
please?
>> Council member Dean,
>> here.
>> Council member Dill,
>> here. Council member Gerity
>> here.
>> Council member Johnston
>> here.
>> Council member McGuigan
>> here.
>> Council member Owen
>> here.
>> Council President Habercorn
>> here. Also present is Mayor Tap,
Administrator Frost, City Clerk Keith,
City Solicitor Smith, 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 and on
the city's website
gov.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 three minutes. I do want to add
to that statement tonight uh two
different uh lines. The word order
compliance with policy written or past
practice. Examples of supplying a name
is addressed when addressing council.
This has been a past practice used for
transparency. Staying to the threeminut
rule and all calling out from the
audience when another person member of
the audience, council member or
professional is speaking. Word decorum
behavior in keeping with good taste and
propriety. Examples. No profanity. No
shouting. No personal comments. Stay
relevant to topics in front of city
council and respect each other's
personal uh space. Address all comments
to the city council as a whole and not
the individual members. Thank you. Do we
have any communications?
Not hearing any communications. May I
have the mayor's report, please?
>> Back to me. I only have a couple things.
Uh we have our citywide yard sale which
is this Saturday and Sunday 9 to 3. If
you go on the city website, you can uh
see all the different addresses for the
people that have registered. That way
you can go and pick what you're looking
for. And uh it's always been a very good
success. And that's this Saturday and
Sunday, 9 to 3. Uh also, I was in a uh
pre-construction meeting uh basically a
kickoff meeting for street paving. I
want to give a list of all the streets
that are going to be paved before the
end of the year. Uh, and what's going to
happen here is is that they'll start
with all of the ADA ramps and then once
the concrete work gets done and cured,
then they'll come in and they'll do the
asphalt. Uh, but we got Cresant Drive,
Harrison Avenue at Uklid, Buffalo
Avenue, Massachusetts in third, Marks
Road, West Cedar Avenue, uh, a portion
of Roberts, it's a culde-sac that only
got paved up so far. And then we also
have New Jersey Avenue right out here.
Um we have a meeting. We had some
businesses come in because they will be
affected so that way we can work with
their schedule. Uh so that way we don't
in, you know, inhibit any of the
business. When they do New Jersey
Avenue, it will start from Bay Avenue,
work its way up and then go to Third
Street. And that it will all be done
before the end of the year. You know,
back in the day, the asphalt companies
used to close, you know, by the end of
September, but now that the weather's a
lot warmer, you know, we're able to get
a lot more done. And actually, the guy
from South State was saying that
sometimes they stay open all the way to
the end of December, and then they open
up again in March. So, we're uh we're in
a we're in a good climate weather for
asphalt. I can tell you that. So, and
that is all I have on this.
>> I'd like to just tag on a couple things
onto the mayor's report. um under the
podium at the second level there
underneath the microphone. There's two
uh handouts if anybody would like to
take one. One is on a community event.
Um it's going to be a family game game
night. That's going to be one Tuesday a
month, October through February. The
details are there. And then the other
one is our second annual scarecrow uh
contest that we had last year being the
first behind city hall. That I believe
is on November 9th. and all the
information if you're so inclined is
right there. So, just wanted to tag on.
>> Absolutely.
>> All right. Uh, Administrator Frost, your
report, please.
>> Nothing's needed.
>> Well, thank you. Solicit Smith, your
report, please.
>> Uh, yes. Uh, probably should have given
this at the last meeting. Uh, my
failure, so may have led to some
questions concerning procedures of, uh,
this council. wanted to go over a few
things. Uh question why uh we uh request
name and address uh people come to speak
in front of council. Uh the open public
meetings act
10 col 4-7
purpose is transparency in government
public is allowed to attend witness and
participate by way of public comment.
Public comment is addressed in NJSA 10
column 4-12.
We're only required to have one session
public comment in addition to to people
speaking about ordinances. Um we changed
this back uh
after 2010. I know wherein we started
having public comment before resolutions
that was made things a little bit more
transparent. people were getting up and
they had the opportunity to speak about
the resolutions that were on before
council enacted them or passed them as
opposed to waiting until the end of the
night and then speaking about it. The uh
length of the portion this is under the
same stat by council. Uh we have no
limit on the length of time of uh public
uh public session. Uh we do not limit
people. We do limit the amount of time
each person could speak and that's three
minutes under our statute or uh we also
under the statute we have the right to
regulate the act of participation of the
public at any meeting and that that is
construed to mean that we can ask
individuals their name and their
addresses. people are only supposed to
be discussing subjects that are limited
gain to an issue. Uh
we had a situation where we had people
speaking about shortterm rebels and
everyone will recall that one woman got
up spoke about where she resided and she
was for short-term rebels and then we
had another gentleman get up a little
while later and say she didn't reside
there. And that's one of the reasons why
we identify who you are and where you
reside so that that the public
understands now that we are on the
media. People are watching us. They
understand whether you have an interest
in it, what that interest may be. Uh the
there was a reference to uh one of the
gentlemen got up and he decided to to
assert that he was not going to give his
name or address to Daniel's law and and
I had asked a very fact specific
question. being filed and Daniel's law
was enacted as we all are aware relative
to a situation where a federal judge's
son was killed uh and her husband was
wounded and so our legislature
determined that it would enact a statute
that control
officers
members of the judiciary
members who were prosecutors whether
they could block their names and
addresses off of its municipality such
such as your property record
[Music]
card. They have my information. No,
that's all redacted. If if you meet the
uh
requirement of
>> so a little bit requirement, please
don't yell out.
>> Please don't yell out that last time.
>> You can raise your hand. you raise your
hand and council president will address
you.
>> But Daniel person raised the hand.
>> I'm I'm as close to the mic as I can get
and and there's really not a whole lot
and I am speaking a lot louder than I
usually do.
But the uh Daniel's law, you're not a
member of the protected class. You're
not a former cop cop. you're not a a a
member of the judiciary, former member
of the judiciary, you're not a
prosecutor or a former prosecutor. You
don't get the benefit of Daniel's law.
So So just to throw out Daniel's law,
I'm not going to to give you any. If you
haven't filed, you're not a member of
the protective class. You know, it it it
it's kind of a shame to get up here and
assert something like that. The the
interesting thing about that is is that
under Daniel's law and
it's the case of Crowavville, the city
of Brunswick and Anthony Caputo and uh
Mr. Caputo uh question was where he
resided and and whether or not they uh
released the actual specific.
This is a Supreme Court case in New
Jersey. It came out in March and
his name can be released.
The town can be released but not the
specific address. This is what our
Supreme Court is interpreted to mean. So
when someone gets up and we ask for a
name and a where your primary address
and they say I'm registered under
Daniel's law, they still have to give a
name and they still have to give it
down. So, just to clarify that issue,
the uh
you talked about a few things, council
president, concerning the quorum. It
it's your obligation under our ordinance
to preserve order and to quum. And you
do have the right under our ordinance to
have individuals removed to make
personal, impertinent or slanderous
remarks or who become too boisterous to
impeach. Now, one thing I have done
civil rights litigation. I represented
Atlantic City for years. One thing I can
tell you is that first amendment rights
are given great leeway in a public uh
public meeting like this, but but it's
not all-encompassing. The uh
first amendment
even protected speech is not equally
permitted in all places and at all
times. That's the case of Cornelius
versus the NAACP.
That's the US Supreme Court case 1985.
uh the first and 14th amendment have
never been thought to give absolute
protection to every individual to speak
whenever and wherever he pleases or to
use any form of address in any
circumstances he chooses and that's
coming in California and that's 1971
US Supreme Court case the federal court
has consistently held that a public
session held by a governing body is a
limited public forum under the first
amendment as such the governing body may
impose unreason may impose reasonable
restrictions upon the right to speak.
The underlying basis is that there's
significant public interest in having
meetings of a governing body conducted
in an orderly and efficient manner with
reasonable time place and conduct
restrictions and limitations. This is
case of row versus the city of Coella
and that's 11th circuit uh appeals court
in federal court. Now you recall we have
a billboard case going on and and in it
is reasonable time, reasonable place,
reasonable limitations. We can set those
on aspect and that's what we're
litigating in that case. examples of
reasonable restrictions that the
appellet division of the federal court
have found requiring the speaker to
state their name and address. That's an
eighth circuit case imposing a time
limit within which each person may
speak. That's right. Anthony 8th circuit
again 1984 time limits of 3 to five
minutes have been held reasonable and
pass constitutional muster. That's the
uh 10th circuit 2007. the right to
interrupt a speaker who refuses to abide
by the required time limit restriction
or is excessively repetitive. You turn
off the speaker's microphone who was
disruptive and remove the speakers to
interrupt proceedings, speak out of turn
or otherwise violate the rules of order.
that is a six circuit case and a ninth
circuit case uh requiring this is an
interesting one because I talked to work
both in the city of Jersey City as well
as the city of New York and in their
solicitor's office and both of those
towns have restrictions that are quite
interesting. People have to sign up.
People are limited the amount of time
and if you don't sign up you don't get
to speak. They limit the amount of time
of the uh the open session, public
session. So 30 minutes and if five
people sign up and it's 30 minutes, they
don't have to go any further. And that's
been upheld by the federal courts
requiring pre-registration of persons to
speak. Sixth circuit
presenting written questions in advance
of a meeting is required in South and
that's the second circuit.
limiting persons authorized to speak to
taxpayers. We don't do that here, but
the one thing we do is ask where's your
primary residence? And if someone's
going to tell you that that they live in
the town, but they're not a tax payer.
That's one of the questions that council
member post. We could limit people to
that. We haven't chosen to do so.
restricting the use of banners, placards
and flags during the meeting because
those create a distraction and service
that and we can limit placement of
cameras in our our meeting. So, I just
want to council note that one of the
differences between I say to you and
what other individuals who may get up,
A, I went to law school. B, I passed,
you see, I actually passed the bar and
and I've been a practicing attorney for
38 years now, and I've been representing
for 38 years. I've litigated civil
rights cases in federal court. So, I do
have a a a smidgen of knowledge
concerning what what a public entity can
or cannot do. So, I just wanted to make
everyone aware of that council. Um
probably should have done this before
the last meeting and and I didn't and we
saw what occurred last meeting, but I do
want council that we can make on
all I have.
>> Thank you, M. Thank you, Mr. Smith.
Anybody have any questions for Mr. Smith
at this time.
>> Mr. McQu.
>> Oh, no. No. Okay.
>> Excellent explanation.
>> Thought you were getting ready to say
something, Mr. Schneider.
>> Uh, as the mayor um described, we had
the New Jersey Avenue reconstruction
meeting and the 2025 road reconstruction
meeting and the contractor anticipated
starting in mid-occtober. Um, just want
to remind council that New Jersey Avenue
is a 100% grant from DOT, so that's not
costing the city anything for repaving.
>> Thank you.
>> Um, Shore Road pedestrian improvements
continue. Um, right now they are by
Medical Center Way. There's also a push
button proposed there for flashing for
pedestrians. So that that'll be ongoing.
New Jersey American Waters replacing the
water main on Shore Road between Ocean
Heights and Myron. um they're at
doubling the size of the water main for
availability for um customers. So that's
why that's being replaced and landing
lane striping. Um I know we met with the
residents and they requested striping.
That is being on hold right now because
the gas company since they tore up the
road is required to repave the whole
street and they should be doing that
with the next two to three weeks. So it
doesn't really make sense for us to
stripe the road and then have to tear it
up. So that's the reason that hasn't
been done.
Thank you, Mr. Snider.
We have any uh committee reports,
>> council president?
>> Yes, sir. Mr.
>> I just like to uh deliver some positive
news. Uh we received notice from
sustainable Jersey that uh we have
achieved the again the uh certification
bronze level uh in that sustainable
Jersey program and that will uh is
beneficial uh as we uh attempt to get
grants through that program. Uh and that
that was spearheaded by our green team
and uh who the chairman is Mr. Elby here
and I just wish to uh congratulate them
on that uh effort and that uh
achievement. Thank you.
>> Thank you,
>> Council President.
>> Yes, sir. M.
>> Yes. Uh Arts Commission about two weeks
ago we um had Arts in the Park. It was
fantastic turnout. Over 29 participants,
over five food vendors. Um I want to
shout out and thank all the volunteers,
all our sponsors. Um it was it was a
great success. It was a beautiful day.
Uh
on top of that uh with the uh artwork uh
Dolls Avenue School that participated
with their art arts program. Some of you
might know that uh if you don't know
some of their displays are out here uh
out here in city hall uh for display.
And it gets even better that uh it's
more than welcoming to have those
displays uh being shown off over at the
like I would like to say our partner uh
Shore Shore Physicians Group um Shorel
Hospital uh to have those displays uh
basically uh sometime in the near future
being displayed on their uh
believe it's the area between the uh the
parking garage and where you walk into
the main corridor.
>> Um, so that's that's that's fantastic. I
mean, sure sure Physicians Group uh
we're more than over the moon to see
them come back next year as well as uh a
big hand with uh shared marketing.
um coming up uh in the future October
18th uh over at the senior
uh senior slash uh building arts I like
to call it the arts commission but wreck
building on uh Amber Road. We're going
to have uh October 18th creative
storytelling
uh with with poetry and pros readings uh
by William Patrick Tandy. Uh workshops
begin at 4 pm along with pizza uh going
on. Pizza will be at 6:30 with open mic
starting 7 pm. So that's uh what I have
to offer for tonight.
>> Thank you, Mr. Holland.
>> Okay, Mr. Gary.
>> Yeah. Uh last night at EDAC, uh we
continued our discussion on uh one of
our brownfield sites and at the last
meeting I reported that we could hire a
Let me know if I screwed this up, John.
LSRP.
All right, I knew it was four letters.
uh a professional that would review all
of the DP information and explain to it
and I reported at the last meeting that
there was a grant available to hire this
person. Uh that's only if the city owns
the property. So it's a $4,000 cost. Uh
EDAC decided last night that it might be
a good investment uh because we think
that there's a future for that
brownfield site. And I concur with that.
Uh so basically they're asking if
there's a possibility that council would
entertain spending the $4,000 to hire a
professional and I'm not really sure
what the procedure would be on that
because it's a professional. Do we just
go out and hire somebody or do we have
to advertise for that professional?
>> Mr. Frost, I'm going to defer to you on
that one, please.
>> Sure. So it kind of depends on the
threshold of the scope of services. If
it's cost not to exceed $4,000,
I would suggest building out
qualifications
just so you can see what other
professionals out there.
That process takes about 20 days at
which point.
>> Okay. So then we could have an answer by
the second meeting in October then.
>> Yeah, absolutely.
>> Okay. Okay. Do we have to pass a
resolution to go out for that at the
next meeting that we just do it
>> right now?
>> Uh me or all of us?
>> Because if it's just me, I'll go
>> for it. I don't have an issue with it. I
>> I just have a question. Um
so the property owners have
I'm assuming you're talking about
Manding
the gas station.
>> Yeah.
>> So that property owner has done
extensive
studies on that property. Does he not
have any results? No, we have the
results. We actually physically have the
paperwork. We don't understand
what's in there. We want to hire a
professional to look at it. We have a
lot of questions that were asked and to
see if there's anything that we can do
as a municipality
to help that property owner and and move
that along. And that's
>> okay. So, that's great. Last year um I
had spoken to Mr. Latau because there is
grant monies out there to for the
municipality to purchase properties like
that, but they look at the results of
the environmental studies and whether or
not you qualify. So maybe that we might
want to do that first before we spend
$4,000. And well, actually, we wanted to
spend the $4,000 to see if it the
professional told us, is this a property
that possibility would be a good
investment for the city or maybe not a
good investment for the city and to
totally understand
what it means in all the reporting and
everything. And also I understand
there's other grants
uh involved in this and we had questions
on or are those grants available for
anyone who owns the property or is it
available just for the person that
applied for it. So, we're trying to it's
more of an information gathering to see
what our next step is.
>> Well, it's very easy to figure out the
value of a property, but and this
property is not really
can't do a whole lot with it as far it's
not very big. So,
>> yeah, we're not looking for the the
price of the property. We're looking as
far as maybe being able to do something
with the property. So, it's not an
abandoned building with a chain link.
No, I'm just saying I understand that,
but I don't understand why we need a
study for that. Just
>> it's not a study.
>> You wouldn't use a professional that'll
go through the property for anything.
You're not going to We're just going to
>> Yeah.
>> fix it up, tear the building down.
>> Understand it.
>> Are you saying this individual will then
evaluate and analyze the data?
>> Yes. that somebody already did
>> that another why can't we just go to
that professional and say okay explain
this to me because we'd have to pay this
>> no I don't want to do that
>> that answers my question just a point of
clarification we're only asking at this
point go out and get this
>> get a price
>> and then we'll get the quote and then
we'll have another bite of the apple
whether we actually want to spend the
$4,000
>> yes based on what the quote says
>> yes that's kind of where I I believe we
are Jason right
work that out that way right
>> yeah provid
much quicker uh the planning board met
this month and they approved the site
plan approval final site plan approval
for 90 Broadway
>> he's he's ADHD over there
>> I thought you were I thought you were
I do I do have
>> I do have a question Jason said I get to
decide But this is what we're going to
do. I just wanted an answer is
everybody.
>> The person the person we're looking at,
are they going to be able to advise us
whether or not we're qualified for
grants or anything of that natur?
>> Yeah, I would imagine so. I mean, John
is the real point leader on this if you
want to ask him any questions. I don't
want to put him on the spot, but I mean
we EDAC has really been into, you know,
we were told at the beginning of the
year to pick one property and
concentrate on it and see if we can make
any improvements. they are making leaps
and bounds on this property but now they
have come to a stumbling block and this
is what they feel and I concur with them
is to get to the next step in
>> okay so the the question in front of us
is to allow Mr. for us to put together a
request for a quotation to go out and
the scope of work for what you know was
just assigned.
>> Is everybody okay with that?
>> Yes.
>> Y anybody opposed to that?
>> I don't know that that it's necessary. I
I would ra I would I'd rather at least
talk to Mr. Battala and see if you can
give him what you have and he should be
able to tell you whether or not we would
qualify for grant money.
>> Well Well, doing what Mr. Frost is going
to do isn't going to cross this any
actually do both at the same time.
>> Yeah. Okay. Just so
>> do what Mr. Frost is doing. Let's give
direction on that one. I think we're all
in agreement there. Mr. Frost put that
together. Correct. Okay. From there,
after that's together, we can ask Mr.
Retella what he thinks the next steps
would be based on getting money. Yeah,
>> that would be another question. Okay.
>> Anything else there, Mr. Gary?
>> Oh, no. I'm not opening my mouth. I need
Thank you. back to Mr. Talk about
>> I will I will be shorting board met this
month and approved uh f final site plan
approval for 90 Broadway and it was
unanimously uh voted on. Thank you.
Any other reports? Not hearing any other
committee reports. So we'll move on. I
you know I I made the comment a couple
meetings ago that I wanted to hear more
committee reports. I want to take that
back. I think
>> careful what you wish for.
>> Okay. Okay. The next on the agenda is
approval of the minutes. May I have a
motion and a second um on approving the
minutes for the August 28th, 2025
meeting?
>> I'll make that motion.
>> May I have a second, please?
>> Second.
>> Any comments? Not hearing any comments.
All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing anyone opposed.
You both mentioned meeting minutes are
approved. Now, I'm going to go back to
the mayor here as he has a couple of
proclamations he would like to share.
Yeah, this will be a lot easier. Uh,
proclamation number six of 2025,
knockout opioid abuse day, October 6,
2025. Whereas the opioid epidemic has
become one of the greatest public health
crisis of our time, claiming countless
lives and causing untold suffering for
families and communities across our
nation. And here in Summers Point, where
education and awareness are powerful
tools in the fight against addiction,
helping residents understand the risks
of opioid misuse, supporting those in
recovery, and reminding us that all that
no one is in this battle alone. Whereas
the partnership of the drug-free New
Jersey has established knockout opioid
abuse day to focus attention on
prevention, treatment, recovery, and the
importance of safe prescribing practices
while also reducing the stigma that too
often prevent individuals from seeking
help. Whereas the state of New Jersey
has permanently recognized October 6 as
not opioid abuse day, calling upon every
community to stand together in hope,
compassion, and action. where local
organizations including the join
together Atlantic County and the Greater
Atlantic Partnership have shown
outstanding leadership and commitment in
supporting uh prevention efforts and
provide resources to those affected.
Therefore, I Dennis Tap, mayor of the
city of Summers Point, do hereby
proclaim October 6, 2025 as Knockout
Opioid Abuse Day in the city of Summers
Point. And I call upon all the residents
to honor this day by learning more,
speaking openly, supporting those who
struggle, and work together to break the
cycle of addiction. And together we can
build a stronger, healthier, and more
compassionate community.
Uh, on a personal note, I can actually
say after having rotator cuff surgery,
they are very stingy when it comes to
handing out opioids anymore. Back in the
day, they would just hand you a big file
of it and here you go, have at it. And
now you go and you get it done and
between the nerve block and they give
you five and they tell you just to take
it to go to sleep and that's it. And
there is no refills. So they are taking
it very serious and I commend them for
that. Um, second proclamation is
proclamation number eight and this is
recognizing tomorrow, September 26, 2025
is a day of remembrance for Private
First Class Anthony Sausto and all the
fallen heroes honored by the Run for the
Falling event. Whereas the New Jersey
Run for the Fallen is a solemn and
honorable event held annually to
recognize and remember the brave service
members of New Jersey who gave their
lives in support of the global war on
terror. And whereas in 2025,
the whereas the 2025
run for the fallen will take place. It
starts September 24th and it goes to the
28th covering 225 miles across the state
where each mile dedic is dedicated to a
fallen hero. Whereas Private First Class
Anthony J. Sauso, a native of Summers
Point, New Jersey, served with
distinction in the United States Army,
as a member of the First Battalion, 38th
Infantry Regiment, Fourth Brigade,
Second Infantry Division, and tragically
lost his life on May 10th, 2007 in
Baghdad, Iraq. Whereas PFC South will be
commemorated during the run for the
falling at 7:07 tomorrow morning uh
September 26 at Patriots Park where
there is a huge monument to honor him to
remember him where family and friends
and the community will gather to honor
his sacrifice.
Now therefore, I, Dennis Tap, mayor of
the city of Summers Point here, Dubai,
proclaim September 26, 2025 as a day of
remembrance and recognition for Private
First Class Anthony J. Sauso and all the
fallen heroes honored by the run for the
fallen event. On another personal note,
um AJ went to school with my boys. I
coached AJ in baseball, coached him in
hockey. Um
it's sad to lose someone so young. Um
but if any if everyone's available 7:07
the runners will come down. Some of the
volunteers down there will hold flags.
They go the whole troop goes they
salute. They recognize his name. A lot
of times his family's there. Actually I
coach his brother you know his brother
will be there. Uh, and it it really
takes about 10 minutes, but it's it's a
great tribute to the family to let them
know that, you know, AJ's not forgotten.
So hopefully everyone can be there.
>> Mayor, just to add that we did dedicate
street 10th Street to in his name.
>> Yes, we did. Yes, we did.
>> Many years ago.
>> All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
>> That's And now we're going to move on to
ordinances. We do have one ordinance
tonight and it is a first reading. Um,
madame clerk, would you read number 17
of 2025, please?
>> 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.
>> May I have a motion, please? I'll make
that motion. May I have a second?
Second. Any comments?
>> Um I have a comment. Uh Council
President, um
I'm glad that we're doing something
about this. Obviously, this is a huge um
necessity that we do need to change our
laws as far as these ebikes are
concerned.
Uh, I'm not sure this is the solution,
but since there hasn't been any
conversation with all of council or with
the public, I'm just hoping that this
council as well as the public please
speak up and come forward with your
ideas and your suggestions and
uh let's try and do this all at one time
and fix this situation for our um for
our bike path and for our bike riders
and whatever the safest and best
solution is let's please get all of your
ideas and let's make a a decision here.
I'm a little upset that this is actually
on the agenda without having
conversation first, but
um that's the way we do things. So now
so um that's all I have to say. Thank
you.
>> We do have a twoe period between now and
the next time you can comment. We do
have a two-eek period and comments can
be at the next one.
>> You say that again.
>> We we can get you a copy. The city clerk
can give you a copy of the uh the
ordinance.
>> How can I get that?
>> Stop by the city clerk's office and
she'll be able to give it to you. Okay.
>> I also just want to make a real quick
comment. Um there is a proliferation of
ebikes as since really since 2022 and
many municipalities are really wrestling
with this proliferation.
Lynwood who we share a continuation of
the bike path was has developed
ordinance related to ebikes recently.
Each council member was provided the
copies of those two ordinances before
this was put on the agenda and the city
clerk had sent those out. If you don't
have those, um, you can reach out to,
uh, the city clerk again and she'll make
sure you have them. What is being
proposed here is very similar to what is
going on with the Lynwood ordinance. And
when you share something with somebody
else to have a continuation, it was my
judgment to put this on right now as an
opportunity for us all to look at what
Lynwood had, what we're suggesting, and
marry them up as best we can. We do have
a two-eek period till the next comments
come. Any other comments on this?
>> Mr. President, if I may.
>> Yes, sir. Uh basically to summarize this
is really separating uh ebikes and and
other electrical driven devices uh from
the bike path uh among sidewalks and so
forth and and you know uh is that a is
that going to solve all this situation
with ebikes? No. But it's going to solve
or or it's going to limit the problem
that we have on the bike path. And uh
and and anything and and it may get
worse if a ebike runs into a a poor
5-year-old that's out there with his
first uh manual bike trying to learn how
to uh to be a bicyclist and and we have
some sort of accident. So I I uh commend
you for getting this on the agenda. And
uh and you know, as an ordinance works,
uh we put a first reading out here so it
it's publicized and then there's a
hearing at at the second reading for the
public to comment and and offer their uh
input. Thank you.
>> Any other comments?
>> Council President, just one question. Uh
did the police department review this
too?
>> Not sure on that yet. I'll have to
follow.
>> Just make sure they review it before uh
before the second reading.
All it did was clean up
or a little bit
citations.
It recognized
unlike where they address
my opinion going back.
We don't really care about the
classification of the ebike. We just
were banning ebikes. Okay. And then we
never have a category
for addressing motorized bicles.
So we put that and then the uh excuse me
the scooters for loop too and identify
motorized scooters at one point but we
but the way the ordinance is written you
have to classify any scooters also.
That's really all it did.
If you go look at our ordinances,
you'll see that it's quite lengthy
I think 2013.
So just cleans up some of this stuff
that
are also
>> and I will I will follow up with the
chief.
>> Yeah. I'm just like as a as a courtesy
more than anything else to have him have
the police department whoever in the
police department review it and make any
recommendations
also has to go to the uh
[Music]
>> to make sure that's all done in advance
of us passing.
[Music]
>> We have to make sure
delayed
by so we want to make sure
>> Mr. Pampl
uh sometime in the future that we need
to do more but this certainly is a step
in the right direction
>> there's no doubt about it Mr. the
pamphlets and you know I just felt like
when we saw the uh the Lynwood come
through taking action to be consistent
was very important for us. Any other
comments?
>> Uh council president.
>> Yes sir.
>> U basically we're trying to address
public safety. We want the public to be
safe when they're out there walking on
the bike path and not getting smacked by
an ebike doing about 30 m per hour. that
happened to my sister-in-law over in
Lynwood about three, four years ago and
she needed medical attention because of
it. Somebody not paying attention on
their ebike and technically roing belong
on the bike path.
Thank you. All right, any other
comments? Not hearing any other
comments. All in favor?
>> I. Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Ordinance number 17 is introduced. Now
we're going to move on to resolutions. I
need a motion and a second to open for
public comment.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> I have a second.
>> Second.
>> Okay. All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing. Anyone is
opposed. We are now open for public
session on resolutions only.
Motion to close public portion on
resolutions.
>> Somebody wants to
>> Oh, is there someone?
>> Yeah.
>> Oh, okay.
They're not.
>> That's G.
>> Yeah.
>> So, there will be a public session and
at that point, Tom, that's when they'll
be able to come up and speak. Correct.
>> Yeah. So what when we get to public
session, you come can come up and do
that. Okay.
>> Thank you. Again, I'll make the motion
to close the uh public portion for
resolutions only.
>> We have a second.
>> Second.
>> All right. All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed. We
are now closed to public session. Madam
clerk,
>> Mr. President, I just like to interrupt
you for a second. Uh, I'll be recusing
myself on resolutions 212 and 215
because of a recent conflict of interest
uh with a third party in this project
that I have an association with. and
also from 206
County Library because Jim Franklin, our
former solicitor, would never let me
vote on anything that pertained to the
library because my wife works in the Egg
Harbor Township Library.
>> Are we in EHT?
>> I'm just going by past practice here.
I'm not saying so I'm making it a
trifecta here.
Not Tomith.
>> No. No. I'd never asked what Tom Smith
thought.
>> Okay. So those those three those three
you will be recusing yourself from.
Okay. Great. Now let's move on to Madame
Clerk number 206 of 2025. Please.
>> Resolution number 206 of 2025
authorizing lease with Atlanta County
Library.
We have a motion.
So moved. Have a second.
I have a second. Second.
>> Any comments?
>> Um I I I just have one quick comment
just um
this I just wanted to clarify that this
is the lease. It's actually retroactive.
It's for 2025. It's not a new lease.
>> And I wanted to let everyone know that
the library committee is meeting and
doing some research and trying to tweak
this a little bit. So, um
>> yeah, this um just came through from the
from the county. Uh and it does run
January 1st of 2025 through December
31st.
>> Right. Okay.
>> Okay. All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing. Any opposed?
Resolution number 206 is approved.
Number 207.
>> Resolution number 207 of 2025. A
resolution of the city of Summers Point
authorizing change order number one to
increase the cost of resolution 100 of
2025 in the amount of $3,93511
and authorizing Mayor Dennis Tap to
execute said change order.
>> I have a motion, please.
>> 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 207 is approved. 208,
Madam Clerk.
>> Resolution number 208 of 2025, accepting
bid results and acknowledging terms and
conditions of participation in the South
Jersey Power Cooperative Electricity
Supply Purchase.
>> I have a motion.
>> I'll make that motion. I have a second.
>> Second.
>> Any comments? Not hearing any comments.
All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution number 206, I'm sorry, 208 is
approved. Number 209, please madam
clerk.
>> Resolution number 209 of 2025
authorizing purchase of firefighting
equipment and rescue tools through the
Sourcewell National Purchasing Program
contract from Municipal Emergency
Services, Inc. contract number 020124
for the city of Summers Point. Have
>> a motion, please. I'll make that motion.
Second.
>> Thank you. Any comments? Not any
comments. All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing. Any opposed?
Resolution number 209 is approved.
20110. 210. 210, please. Resolution
number 210 of 2025 authorizing purchase
of firefighting apparatus and fire
service vehicles through the Sourcewell
National Purchasing Program contract
from Oshkosh Corporation contract number
113021
for the city of Summers Point.
>> Have a motion, please.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> I'll second.
>> Any comments? Not hearing any comments.
All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution number 210 is approved.
Number 211, please.
>> Resolution number 211 of 2025
authorizing executive session advice of
council and attorney client privilege
communication regarding the status of
litigation involving the city entitled
GMH Restaurant Holdings LLC. GMH
Restaurant Enterprises Gary M. Holloway
versus the city of Summers Point having
a docket number of ATL- C-37-25
>> on executive sessions. We'll go into
executive session at the end of the
meeting and um we'll go in there and
they have a motion, please.
>> So moved.
>> Have a second.
>> Second.
>> Any comments?
>> We're not allowed to comment.
>> Yes,
>> we're not allowed to comment. That's my
comment.
>> That's true.
All in favor?
>> I. Any opposed?
Any opposed?
Number 212, please. Resolution number
212 of 2025 authorizing executive
session advice of council and attorney
client privilege communication regarding
the status of litigation involving the
city entitled Levi Fox vers city of
Summers Point Summers Point Planning
Board having a docket number of
ATL-L002581-25.
Have
>> a motion
moved.
>> Second.
>> All in favor? I any opposed? Any oppose?
Resolution 212 is approved.
Number 213.
Resolution number 213 of 2025
authorizing executive session advice of
council and attorney client privilege
communication regarding anticipated
contractual negotiations relative to the
potential construction of a new city
hall by way of a public private
partnership.
>> Have a motion.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> All right. Have a second. Second. Okay,
we're not going to do any comments and
any all in favor.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution 213 is approved. Number 214.
Resolution number 214 of 2025
authorizing executive session advice of
council and attorney client privilege
communication regarding the issues
arriving arising from the settlement
between the Plantation Bay LLC and the
city of Summers Point in the Mount
Laurel litigation commenced in the
Superior Court of New Jersey by
Plantation Bay LLC docket number
ATL-L-7302-06.
>> So moved. Second.
>> Wow. All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
Hearing any opposed? Resolution 214 is
approved. Number 215, please.
>> Resolution number 215 of 2025,
authorizing executive session, advice of
council and attorney client privilege
communication regarding the status of
potential development negotiations
involving contract purchasers of 90
Broadway in the city of Summers Point.
>> Moved.
>> Second.
All in favor? I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing opposed.
Resolution 215 is approved.
>> 216.
>> Resolution number 216 of 2025
authorizing executive session advice of
council and attorney client privilege
communication regarding the status of
and potential litigation arising from
affordable housing obligations imposed
upon the city by the fair share housing
center.
>> Motion please. So move
>> second.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Any opposed? Resolution 216
is approved. Then we're going to move on
to 217.
>> Resolution number 217 of 2025 awarding
bid and authorizing agreement for the
supply and installation of a new floor
for the city hall building.
>> Motion. Please motion.
>> Second, please.
>> Second.
>> Any comments?
>> Not hearing any comments. All in favor?
All right.
>> Any opposed?
>> I'm no on this one.
>> Okay. Thank you. So, we uh Yeah, it's
it's approved.
>> 217 is approved.
>> Let's go to 218.
>> Resolution number 218 of 2025, hiring
school crossing guards.
>> Motion moved.
>> Second.
>> Any comments,
>> Mr. President?
>> Yes, sir. If I may, I'd like to uh thank
all the uh people that uh do do that job
for us. That's very important. Make keep
an eye on our children. I'd like to
point out one in particular, Mary
Matricardia. Uh and her effective date
of hire was March 1st of 1989,
which is 36 years ago. And in those 36
years, at least 10 of those years, she
shepherded uh uh Mcwigan children across
the street. and I uh want to thank her
again for that.
>> Thank you.
>> Any other comments?
>> I I just want to make a comment. Um yes,
thank you for protecting our children,
but they also protect us adults. I was
on the bike path yesterday and if you go
during school time, u they get you
across the street. So they do
>> that that and at Groand and Road I've
used them a few times across. So they
are they do an excellent job. Any other
comments? Not hearing any other
comments. All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution 218 is approved. I do need a
motion and a second for the consent
agenda.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Any comments? I'm hearing any comments.
All in favor?
>> Any opposed? I hear any opposed. The
consent agenda is approved.
Old business. Anybody have any old
business to discuss?
Okay, not hearing any old business.
Let's move to new business. We do have a
social affairs permit application for
the American Legion. That event is on
the 19th of October from 11 to 5. And
then we also have approval to wave a
raffle fee for pull tabs at the BFW. Um
are all the information approved by
chief?
>> Yes,
>> all the information for that are those
two are approved by the chief. Um, are
we all in agreement to allow that to
happen?
>> Yes.
>> Anybody opposed to that? No. Okay. So,
those two are good. Let's move to the
next page. We do have approval of two uh
firefighter applications. Approval of
New Jersey State Firefighters Associate
application membership for Thomas
Eatella the third followed by approval
of the New Jersey State Firefight
Fighters Association application for
James
Perth is the way that said um everybody
okay with that?
>> Yes. Absolutely.
>> That's is great to see this two names.
Yes,
>> it is great.
>> Yes, thank you problem with that. Nobody
has a problem with that, right? Great.
We're good to go.
>> Mr. Forest, do you give the storm water
report? Okay, you're off.
>> This is exciting. I can't wait.
>> Now, I promise
I promised Jason this week give him a
hard time and he did the
>> Jason proceed. Five minutes.
>> Okay.
>> Starting starting three minutes ago.
As a result of rules published by the US
EPA and developed the municipal storm
water regulation program,
there are four different types of
permits proximity of the coast. We are
considered a pure A
permits address storm water quality
issues against new development existing
development by implementing statewide
basic requirements that include among
other items that municipalities adopt
and enforce a storm water management
plan. In April of 2004, Summers Point
implemented the storm water pollution
prevention plan and adopted a storm
water management plan. In March of 2006,
we adopted a storm water control.
The city also has a storm water
pollution prevention plan that's been
periodically updated since 2004. The
last time being December 2023
in conjunction with storm water
pollution management. We've also adopted
ordinances that regulate pet waste
disposal, littering, improper waste
disposal, wildlife weeding, yard waste,
elicit connections to the storm water
system and dumpsters.
New ordinances were passed in 2018
concerning wildlife feeding and improper
waste disposal to further bolster the
city's effort to manage storm water
pollution prevention. complaining teams
that he also reached out by letter to
all private operators of storm water
facilities to ensure that there they are
acquainted with regulations
mainted
for evidence of elicit connections. In
2024, all 43 were inspected with no
evidence of or scouring and elicit
connections. In 2024, the city slept 80
miles of streets and collected
approximately 20 tons of debris during
our street sweeping. That's a total of
about 500 pounds per mile of city
streets. These are materials that could
have washed into the storm. The city
operates 649 cash based
additional
city cash based
in 2024.
We replaced 84 storm drain grates with
grates that are now better designed to
prevent pollutants from entering the a
total of 487 or roughly 75% of the
city's storm drain rates have been
converted since 2004.
City has adopted standard operating
procedures that deal with fueling
operations, vehicle maintenance and
cleaning, road salt storage and annual
employee trade. Since approximately 60%
of our water pollution problems are
attributable to storm water pollution
and storm water pollution often linked
to our daily activities and lifestyles,
many people who allow motor oil, trash,
and pet waste to enter the storm sewer
industry don't realize that it will most
likely end up in the bay just a few
blocks away. It is important that we all
make an effort to keep pollutants out of
storm water system.
>> Anybody have any questions for Mr.
Frost?
>> Yeah, I appreciate that, Mr. Frost.
>> It's good. Good. We keep our environment
clean. Keep keeping our storms storm
basins and everything else clean,
>> you know. Thank you. Protect the
environment. It's good.
So I just want to get everybody's nod
that we accept the storm water report as
presented by Mr.
>> Yes. Agreement. Thank you Mr. Cross for
that.
>> And you're still up because we have to
discuss the bills now, sir.
>> We have two record payments, one for
$830,
the other one for $3,813.31.
And we have a couple bill list
10,753,49356.
>> Thank you.
>> May I have a motion to open for public
comment, please?
>> Council President, before you do that?
>> Yes, sir.
>> Uh,
Councilman Mcwigan brought up a crossing
guard who has worked for us since 1989.
Perusing the list, we have five people
that have at least 25 years of service.
I'd like to see us offer a resolution
thanking them for their use of service.
>> That sounds like a great idea. Thank
you. Thank you. Okay, going to public
portion. May I have a motion to open,
please?
>> So moved. Second.
>> Okay. All in favor?
>> I opposed. Nobody is opposed. We are now
open for public session.
My name is Garden State Accountability
and I'm from New Jersey.
It's a good thing the lawyer isn't in
charge because he's a dictator and uh he
likes to
>> remember what I said earlier
>> through the chair to the meeting
comments.
>> It's a good thing that the lawyer is not
in charge because he's he's definitely a
dictator. I don't know if it's related
to or
please. It's
>> crazy. So the the I I I went to that uh
school that they named after that woman
through uh Daniel's law. Forget the name
of the school now. I was there on
Tuesday.
Let's see what it was.
The uh Esther Salace Academy in uh in uh
Union City was there on uh Tuesday or
Monday.
So I know I know about Daniel's Hall,
you know.
Um I think I can speak to anybody
through the chair.
Am I right? like all comments to go to
the full
>> so through through the chair to somebody
I can I can definitely do that full
counsel but I have the right to speak
about any topic I want right
>> I want to hear all through the full
>> so uh last time I was here the police um
told council members to watch what you
say and point it to their body cameras
um
like saying it's a warning watch what
you say because people might get the
body camera footage I actually did get
the body camera footage from the last
meeting and I saw that I don't know
whoever was in the office was actually
watching the meeting. That's how he knew
to come in here to say, "Oh, it was like
a bad movie talking about The Nightmare
on Elm Street." Um,
the lawyer
wants to try to silence the public,
right? It's probably specifically me,
but it could be anybody. Um, he's saying
you can limit speaking time. We actually
want to raise speaking time. We want to
bring it from 3 minutes to 5 minutes. In
Edison, it's 6 minutes. Uh, Union City,
we get 5 minutes.
Um,
in uh the township of Graten,
Connecticut, they raised they they they
actually lowered the time from 4 minutes
to 2 minutes
and we're fighting that. You want you
want two minutes?
The people want to speak. The people
want to be heard, right?
We we have the right to be heard. I have
he he can say all he wants that I don't
have to give my name and address or or
that I have to give my name and address.
I didn't hear tonight. But he's probably
gonna
he's probably going to say that was so
and so in dot dot dot for the record
after we after we we uh do that. But if
he does that, I have something I have
something for that. Um
so why did uh Joe Fleshman,
the bond the bond councilman for zoning
and uh planning for 15 years. He's not
being reappointed. Why is that? And
instead, you're bringing a union back
law firm from North Jersey.
>> Sir, your three minutes are up. Thank
you. C
>> can we get a clock here?
>> Yo, can we get one we can actually see?
The public can see.
>> Your three minutes are up.
>> Thank you. Can we get a clock? Can we
get a clock?
>> Three minutes up. Thank you, sir.
>> People would like that.
>> Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.
All right.
>> As I said, no calling out of the from
the audience, please.
>> Don't do that.
>> Thank you.
>> Good evening, council. My name is Gary
Hollow Jr. I reside in Malvin,
Pennsylvania. I'm here on behalf of GH
Restaurant Holdings. I'm the CEO of GMH
Communities. I'm happy to give my
address in Pennsylvania if you like.
>> Okay. Thank you, sir. Um, my father
couldn't be here tonight and I want to
introduce Steve Burl to you, our chief
development officer. Um, we want to be
upfront that we have not been directly
involved with the noise ordinance issue
that my father is as has before before
the council. Um, but rather we want to
talk about GH and what GH does for a
living. We're developers. We're national
developers. Um, we've owned this
property and our family for over 20
years. And tonight, what Steve wants to
talk to you about is a proposal to come
back to this council and work to
redevelop this property. We really feel
that the current use is not the highest
and best use of the property and we'd
love for you to listen to us as we
present over and we know it takes time.
We do this for a living. Um, and for
that, we'd like some concessions to the
matter that is before on on the noise.
So with that, I'm going to turn it over
to Steve Burl, our chief development
officer. Thank you for your time.
>> Council President, do we want to give an
additional three minutes now or just
>> This is a second speaker, so yes, we can
do that.
>> Okay,
>> Mr. Smith, am I allowed to do that?
>> Okay.
>> I need your name and
>> Good evening. Steve Burl, chief
development officer with GH New Town
Square, Pennsylvania.
>> Thank you.
Um, so we don't have a
development plan to present to council
tonight, but we do have a long-term
vision for the property, and it's it's
not to operate the property as a
restaurant or as the point as it
currently um exists. Uh, as Gary said,
we think the site has far greater
potential. We really want to work with
the city um and the community to come up
with a redevelopment plan. In our
opinion, a boutique hotel would would do
great on the site and that's the vision
that we've been thinking about for quite
some time. Um that obviously uh to come
to fruition will take two to three
years. You know, that's working with the
community, working with all of the
stakeholders, working with the city, uh
all permitting authorities. Um and you
know, during that time, however, um we
still need to operate the business. We
need to operate the business in order to
cover holding costs. Um not to let go
staff. Um and we do think that um you
know it's a good amenity for the
community. It does reside in the
entertainment hub. Um does help with
tourism activity um vendors etc. Um but
we really are here tonight to to
respectfully request a temporary
agreement um that would allow the point
to stay in operation for a period of
time that we can um negotiate during
this redevelopment permitting period as
we'll call it. Um and we have a proposal
that um I would say is a lesser request
than what I believe was before council
previously by um our council Steve
Hanken. Just a little background, and
I'm sure this is known, but right now
we're the only outdoor venue in town.
Um, we're competing with indoor bars and
restaurants that uh are permitted to
play music until 2:30. Because we are
outdoors, we have to shut off music at
11:00 at, you know, that's a real
competitive disadvantage, especially
given the fact that most of our business
is done at nights during the weekend.
Um, we'd like council to consider the
temporary modification to the noise
ordinance that would allow us to play
music until 1:00 a.m. on Fridays,
Saturdays, and holidays during the
season. And all other nights, we would
abide by the 11:00 ordinance. I believe
what was presented or asked before also
included Sundays. Uh, we're no longer
asking for that. Um,
and again, we would request that that be
a temporary arrangement. that could be,
you know, reconsidered by council and
the city if we do not have an approved
development plan and are moving forward
with such within the agreed upon time
frame. Again, we think that's about 2 to
3 years. Um, just want to leave with the
fact that we we really understand uh the
importance of working with the community
without not being a nuisance to the
community. Um, and also in that spirit,
if there are any standards for decibel
levels or noise levels, um, we'd be
willing to comply with that as well, I'd
like you to consider.
>> Thank you for coming out. I appreciate
it. Thank you.
>> Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Take your time, Pat.
>> No rush.
>> That counts in the three minutes. First
of all, Patricia Pearson, 587 Marks
Road. I didn't know what this gentleman
was going to say, but in another time,
I'll tell you the story about the uh the
the night life and 1:00. I I think you
should knock it back to 12, but I'm
going to tell you the story about Bubba
Max and the waterfront and 12 o'clock.
That's for another day. Okay.
>> Okay.
>> But when this um
Is fire equipment just the normal fire
equipment or is there anything
extravagant or budget
>> out of the norm? It's
>> in the budget. Anything really in the
budget? It's it's been budgeted for for
this year.
>> Okay. It's all in I was just trying to
see if there was anything off the you
know.
>> No, it's it's basic stuff.
>> All right. Now,
you know, we have to worry about the
taxes. You know that. Okay. So the whole
um and I don't want to know anything
about any of the legislation or this
executive sessions or anything like
that, but I do want to know we have to
start figuring out how many lawsuits do
we have against the city all kinds from
24 and 25.
How much overtime is it costing us? Do
we have to hire professionals?
And what's going on with this? And the
reason I want to know and the rest of
the city wants to know is because maybe,
just maybe, we should send the court to
Maze Landing. I'm hoping we do. I want
it. I trust Denny Levenson 100%. He runs
the best county in the state. We don't
run the best city in the state, but he
runs the best county in the state. And I
wanted that court to go to Maze Landing.
So, we have to think about that. And
this when this whole page is executive
session, I'm saying what the heck's
going on, you know? So, that's what I
want to leave you with. Okay. Thank you.
And and if you can in the next couple
meetings, like let us know how many uh
lawsuits we have, all of them, whether
they're settled or they're not settled.
Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Here we go.
[Music]
Good evening, Council President
Hapercorn. My name is Levi Fox and I
live at 90 Broadway. I'm here tonight to
offer the council an update on the plans
for a Revolutionary War encampment at
the Summer's Mansion on December 6th,
some of which I told you on a wewalk a
few weeks ago. You
>> did mention that, sir.
>> As of right now, the plan is to
incorporate the encampment into a full
day of family activities. Uh, I will ask
for your patience as I first want to
thank those involved in making this
happen and I'll be happy to share some
of what the patriots for the Summers
Mansion in partnership with the Summers
Point Historical Society have planned
for what will be a unique experience.
Uh, first I want to thank Donna Moore,
the chair and Greg Quir, the vice chair
of the Patriots for being the primary
sponsor of the event and helping me to
obtain permission from the New Jersey
State Department of Environmental
Protection that manages the mansion to
do this event. Uh second, I should thank
Dave Robbins, who is responsible for the
mansion, and Mark Texel, uh historic
administrator for the state, for working
with the Patriots to put together an
event that can be held responsibly and
which accurately reflects the American
Revolutionary era. Uh, next I need to
thank the Economic Development Advisory
Commission, including co-chairs Chuck
Wescott and Rob Hopkins for supporting
the project and wanting to devote a bit
of EDC's budget to match the Patriots
uh, and helping to establish the current
plans for the event. Uh, while also a
member of EDAC, I wanted to single out
Max Sleshel, who through his job with
the Atlantic County Economic Alliance,
connected me with grant writer Mike
Renick to get another $2,000 from Kim
Brown at the County Cultural and
Heritage Affairs Commission. Uh it was
also an ed several weeks ago that Kirk
Garity, president of the Silver Point
Historical Society is another
co-sponsor, suggested that rather than
see the fact that there were already two
events planned on December 6th as being
a kind of a crisis, but instead it
offered an opportunity to fuse them all
together. Uh, thus the plan for the day
will be the Christmas market on the
mansion grounds from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. the encampment setup at the fire
pits that are left over from the market
um from 4:30 to 5:30. Um, troops
marching in the Christmas parade at 5:30
and a campfire cornbread cookout at 8.
Uh the funding will go to subsidize the
costs of the Patriot, British, and
Hessen units, which we are inviting, the
historic reenactor who will stage the
campfire cornbread cookout, and an
interpreter in character as George
Washington, who will discuss the
Patriots cause in 1775.
Before I go, I have one more thank you
to offer for providing a last bit of
grant funding for this event. And that
goes to you, Council President, as well
as Councilman Sean McGregor and city
administrator Jason Frost for finding
funds in the neighborhood preservation
program. So, thanks again for everybody
for working hard to make this happen,
and I appreciate your time.
>> Thank you.
I don't see any other comments.
>> Motion to close the public portion. I
have a second.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> All right. Anybody opposed?
I hear any opposed. We are now closed to
the public.
>> Okay.
>> I need a motion to pay the bills.
>> I'll make that move.
>> I need a second.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Jason, you can go ahead and
do have any more comments from the
governing body?
Not hearing any comments from the
governing body. now executive session
after a fivem minute break. We don't
contemplate coming out with any action
after that, but you're more than welcome
to wait in the lobby um