January 22 2026 Ventnor City Commission Meeting

Cindy, can I have a roll call, please?
>> Commissioner Langrath,
>> here.
>> Commissioner Mento,
>> here.
>> Mayor of Creable
>> here. Thank you. Um, the uh I'll read
the open public meetings announcement
pursuant to the open public meetings
act. Adequate announce adequate notice
of this meeting has been provided. The
agenda for this meeting is posted in
city hall and on the city's website at
www.bendercity.org.
We also have the live streaming
announcement. The city of Ventner offers
live streaming in the option of public
comment via remote access as a
convenience to the public. In the event
remote access is unavailable for any
reason beyond the city's control, the
city will not pause or stop live
meeting. The city reserves the right to
discontinue remote access at the
discretion of the city for any future
meetings.
Uh we have no presentations and we have
no department head reports. Uh we do not
have capital meeting, capital discussion
or minutes. We do have three ordinance
introductions this evening. The first
will be lifeguard pension ordinance.
Uh the second will be uh salary
ordinance which is uh providing the
ranges for salaries and the third will
be uh beach patrol salary ordinance.
Any questions on that?
>> Nope.
>> Okay. Uh we have uh we do have a public
hearing and adoption.
We have uh
uh ordinance 001. This is ordinance to
exceed the municipal budget
appropriation limits to establish a cap
bank. This is something we do every
year. Do you have any uh finance and
administrator? Would you like to make a
>> It allows us to bank the
>> Speak into the mic, please. It allows us
to bank the difference between the 2 and
a half% and the 3 and a half% for
appropriations in future years. It
doesn't increase anything this year.
>> And we are selected 1%. Correct.
>> Yes.
>> Well, the 1% is what we're allowed. 2
and a half% is the cap. You're allowed
to go to 3 and a half% if you do this
ordinance. So, you're you're allowing
that additional 1%. If we don't use it,
it goes into a bank for use in this
future two year next two years.
>> And the and the purpose is for any uh
unforeseen, overages, things of that
nature, right?
>> Well, yeah. I think historically it's in
recognition that the 2 and a half%
just doesn't always work. You know, that
sometimes it's impossible for
municipalities to stay within that
limit,
>> right? So, by adopting this ordinance,
you give yourself a little bit of
flexibility.
>> I think that one% is about $300,000.
>> Correct.
Okay. Any other questions, Lance?
>> Nope. I got it.
>> Got it. Okay. Uh, moving forward to item
12 on our agenda. We have a number of
resolutions
by consent.
Starting with
0044 is uh resolution authorizing a
refund for tax overpayment.
It's pretty self-explanatory.
Then we have a 045.
This is authorizing support from local
governing body authorizing a
recreational improvement grant
application funded by the department of
community affairs. This is a application
for a potential grant that could be used
for uh improvements at one of our parks.
Correct.
>> Any more more specifically ADA access to
the Newport Avenue beach in the stage
area.
>> Right. Then other things. I think it's
broader as well. But
>> it is it is broader. Yes.
Um, next is 046.
This is um this is one of a number of
tax abatements.
Uh, I'll read out the uh 046 is a tax
abatement agreement which we do in a uh
for anyone doing new construction. Um,
the first uh 046 is for 11 1 South
Amherst Avenue. 047 is for 601B
Winchester Avenue. 048 is for 101 North
Baltimore Avenue. 049 is for 316 North
Oxford Avenue. And lastly,
uh 050 is 1B North Austin Avenue. All of
those collectively are for uh tax
abatement agreements which we do um
throughout the city. Any questions on
those?
>> No.
>> Uh 051
is
uh authorizing an abandoned vehicle
auction. Um there are three vehicles for
auction that are impounded through one
of our um our towing companies,
which is something we do from time to
time. Um 052
is
um approving rates and charges and fees
for the year 2026 for the recreation
department city of Etner. So there's a
variety of fees for different classes
and um uh uh cooper um uh co
cooperations we have with different uh
uh different events. Uh there's
virtually very little um movement on
this. if you have anything to add to
that.
>> Now, John, there's a couple of new
things here. There's a couple new camps
being offered, so we have to establish
fees for those and that they're in here
as well.
>> Great. Flag football, I think, was one
of them.
>> Football, softball. Those are new.
>> Yeah. So, I think there's already some
interest in that. Um I'll I'll just tag
I'll just uh reach out. I just I would
just uh um shout out to anyone that's
interested that the rec desk is open for
these as well. I think flag football is
something that um could be uh could be
interesting for the city. Um
053
is an agreement with the ACUA for
digital media consultant services. This
is um Sarah Varalo and her team. I can't
speak highly enough for them. um they
they um we I tend to give them last
minute
directions and a few words and she turns
it into a coherent post that is uh
clear, concise and direct. So this is a
small amount of money. They do our
newsletter every year, every uh every
month now. So I think this is a huge
value in terms of communication for the
city. I know you you work closely with
her. Do you have anything to add?
>> Excellent. I mean you would think she
worked here.
>> Yeah. the the way she just uh really is
able to characterize what
>> what was that?
>> But um it is uh it is from someone
that's seen the way that city's
communicated over the years. It's such
an improvement, such a better such a
better uh example of the things that we
we need uh um to to to get across things
um to our public. Uh 054
is appointment to uh school board. So um
uh this is a um Carly Imperial. She's uh
going to be one of our uh she's going to
be uh um uh taking a a vacant seat. Um
and I look forward to her. She's got a
great uh she's got a great uh resume as
a u a speech therapist in Atlantic City,
has kids in uh act and she's active in
the community. She's been to a couple
schoolboard meetings to offer her
insights and I'm looking forward to
having her on the school board as um I'm
sure the rest of you are.
>> I agree. I think she's going to be a
great selection.
>> Yeah,
>> she is a great selection. Going to be a
great board member.
>> Yeah. Thank you. Um, next is 055. This
is uh authorizing Remington and Verdict
engineers for construction management
services for Winchester Main
replacement. Uh, you have you want to
add anything to that, Commissioner?
>> Yes. Um, so this is part of an IBANK
application for eventual principal
forgiveness on the loan to do the work.
Um, we have to have them in as they were
design engineer on it as well. So you
want them to be the guys managing that
contract. So this completes that
application to the I bank so we can
hopefully get money to pay for it as
well as the principal on that loan
forgive. So forgiven,
>> right?
>> So that's the uh that's the influx we're
doing here. We're going to do that again
on another sec. This is phase one. We're
going to do phase two which I think we
have another engineer working on that.
Try to you know spread the work out to
some of our pool. I believe Mark Delasio
is working on that space too. And you'll
see the same kind of thing coming up.
It's just the best way to fund these
water and and storm water improvements
and sewer line improvement throughout
the city.
>> Right. So this is this is a water main.
So this is also improving our um you
know updating and and bringing things
that are uh more
under
>> we missed you there. Yeah, I couldn't
understand you. What was that?
>> It's undersized in that.
>> It's undersized. Yeah, that's right.
That's what I was getting at. It's an
unders sized man.
>> The existing
I'm going through a bad se on the
expressway, I guess.
>> Understood. The the existing main is
undersized. So, I think we covered that.
Um
>> Yep.
>> Uh we'll have approval of bills and
payroll. Uh I don't have any discussion
items. Any discussion items? No, but you
did remind me when you mentioned the rec
desk is open. The rec desk is also open
for vendors for our um summer concerts.
So um if you're a vendor, you want to
get on there and there is a wait list,
but just get on there and get on the
wait list.
>> Great.
Okay. Um,
so at this point, um, can I have a
motion to open the workshop meeting to,
uh, public comment on anything that
we've discussed so far?
>> I'll make the motion to open the
meeting.
>> I have a roll call. Cindy,
>> Commissioner Langrath,
>> second commissioner Mento.
>> Yes.
I think we got it there.
>> Okay.
>> Little delay.
Okay.
>> Um so anyone have any comments? Uh we
have no one in the um
>> we have one person
>> in the in the um about about items that
we've spoken about so far. If there
aren't any um
anybody on the Zoom platform has a
public comment about items that we've
spoken about so far.
>> Anybody on Zoom wish to speak or comment
in any of the items spoken so far?
Please raise your hand within Zoom or
within the chat feature and you will be
recognized.
>> Okay, hearing none. Can I have a motion
to close public portion on workshop?
>> I'll make the motion to close the public
portion.
>> Have a roll call. Cindy,
>> Commissioner Langraph.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Mento.
>> Yes. Mayor Cre.
>> Yes.
Um, we have no approval of minutes. We
have
one ordinance introduction. Can I have a
motion to introduce ordinance 2026002
which establishes the um
uh pension plan for lifeguards in the
city of Vner. Uh this is a uh p this
pension plan as described in the packet
but we um this is something that is if
you have any you have any comments you
want to add to that.
>> Yeah if if you would like uh
historically the city has had a
lifeguard pension plan since 1987 I
believe goes back that far. Uh it's uh
statutoily mandated. There was an a law
adopted actually back in like the 1930s
that requires all cities of the fourth
class of which we are one to have a
pension plan for lifeguards. So the
office of the state comproller did
audits of the various cities along the
coast last year uh and issued reports on
each and in reviewing hours the audit
report that they issued had some
recommendations for modifications to the
plan. Uh so a new plan has been drafted
to comply with uh those deficiencies
that the state controllers's office
noted and this ordinance adopts the
plan. Uh it has already been presented
to the new pension commission that you
appointed as the first step in updating
this uh this plan. They've approved it.
The next step now is for you to
introduce it here and to adopt it. And
at that point, uh, we'll be fully
compliant with the statute and with the
state controller's recommendations. So,
that's where we are.
>> Thank you. I have a motion to adopt
ordinance 2026-002
as described.
>> I will make the motion to introduce 002
as described.
>> Thank you. I have a second.
>> Second.
>> Have a roll call. Cindy,
>> Commissioner Langrath.
>> Yes. Commissioner Mento.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Creable.
>> Yes.
>> Public hearing on that will be February
12th. February 12th. Great.
Um,
next, uh, item 19 is a motion to
introduce ordinance 0206-003
establishing salaries, compensation, and
salary ranges of officers and employees
of the city of Ventner and repealing all
ordinances or parts of ordinances here
to for adopted, the provision of which
are inconsistent here with. May I have a
motion?
>> Okay. Motion to introduce 2026003
salary ordinance.
>> Have a second.
>> Second.
>> Thank you. Can I roll roll call? Cindy.
>> Commissioner Langrath.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Mento.
>> Yes. Mayor
>> Creable.
>> Yes.
>> Can I add something, Tom? I think you
said this is probably good for three
years.
>> That that was the plan when I was doing
it is basically what you're looking at
is the minimum. There's two columns. the
the one on the left are the minimum
salaries for all of the positions that
we uh presently use. Not all of these
titles are actually in use presently,
but they're titles that we could
potentially be using. The maximum ranges
are drawn from the uh collective
bargaining agreements that we have with
the police, the fire teamsters,
communication workers, and clerical. So
what you see is the maximums are the
maximums in those contracts. So where
they go out three years, these are the
salaries in that third year. Okay. So
that's the idea behind this was to then
match the other non uh union salaries to
also go out three years.
>> Thank you. So someone's looking at this
and they look at the max. It's not
necessarily what someone's salary is
this year, but it may be what somebody's
salary is three years from now.
>> That's correct. It absolutely. I don't
think there will be anybody that will be
at these maxes this year. These these
are ranges that set minimum max.
>> When we do after you adopt this,
assuming you do, we'll introduce tonight
adopt on February 12th. Subsequent to
that, as part of the budget adoption,
you'll do a salary resolution that sets
the specific salaries for the non
bargaining unit employees. And those
salaries then have to fit within these
ranges. Okay. The contract people are
already settled. We don't need to vote
on those again except for the FMBA which
we're not settled with yet.
>> So the FMBA doesn't take into
consideration the union in here.
>> I'm sorry.
>> The FMA in here. Will we have to do
another ordinance for them?
>> Uh no. I've kind of gotten out my
crystal ball and
>> I'm sorry.
>> I I kind of looked into my crystal ball
and I predicted when I think they're
going to settle.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Or you just build something in it. Okay.
>> Yeah. And if if we have to amend it, we
will.
>> Yeah. Okay.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you.
>> Um next we have um or item 21 on the
agenda is
>> um
uh public hearing for ordinance 2026-
>> one more one more introduction to beach
patrol salaries.
>> Beach patrol salaries. Oh, lifeguard.
Oh, I'm sorry. 004. Um, item 20. Uh,
next we have ordinance introduction of
ordinance 2026-004,
ordinance of the city of Ventner
authorizing 2026 through 2028 salaries,
wages, and compensations for members of
the Ventner City Beach Patrol.
>> I will make that motion.
>> I have a second.
>> I'll second.
>> Roll call. Cindy.
>> Commissioner Langra.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Mento.
>> Yes. Mayor Creable.
>> Yes.
>> And again, if I may, brief summary on
this one.
>> Yes, please.
>> This also goes out three years. You'll
see that uh there's four columns showing
25 to 28. Uh that we're looking at 3 and
a half% increases across the board for
each of those three years. Uh this is a
companion to the salary ordinance
because it itself is pretty
comprehensive. The beach patrol has a 20
year 20step program for people to go
from the beginning to the top and a
number of other elements that include
stipens for EMT certifications and
things like that. So it's done as a
separate ordinance rather than trying to
fit all that into the ordinance that you
just introduced for the general
salaries. So that that's the beach
control sour ordinance.
>> Thank you.
All right. Um, no other comments on that
item. Uh, we have next item is,
uh, public hearing for ordinance 2026-
01
for the calendar year.
>> Yes.
>> Thank you. Uh public hearing for
ordinance 2026-
0001 calendar year of 2026 ordinance to
exceed the municipal budget
appropriation limits and establish a cap
bank. Can I have a motion to open public
hearing on that ordinance?
>> I will make the motion to open the
public hearing on the ordinance to
exceed the municipal budget
appropriations limit and to establish a
cap bank. And this is what we discussed
just earlier.
>> Correct. Can I have a second?
>> Second.
>> Roll call. Cindy, please.
>> Commissioner Langraph.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Mento.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Creable.
>> Yes.
Anyone in the public wish to make a
comment on ordinance 001?
and Ben Zoom wish to comment on
ordinance 001.
>> It's our first ordinance for the year.
>> No
>> hearing none. May I have a motion to
close public hearing?
>> Motion to close.
>> A second.
>> Second.
>> A roll call. Cindy.
>> Commissioner Langrath.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Mento.
>> Yes.
>> Creable.
>> Yes.
May I have a motion to adopt ordinance
2026-001
as described?
>> Motion to adopt 26001.
I
>> have a second.
>> Think that was a second.
>> I think he did it.
>> He did. Yes. May I have a roll call,
Cindy?
>> Commissioner Langraph.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Mento.
>> Yes. Mayor
>> Creable.
>> Yes. Okay.
So, moving to uh mo uh resolutions by
consent. May I have a motion to adopt
resolutions 2026-044
through 2026-055
by consent
uh which includes all the um description
that we had earlier in the workshop.
I'll make the motion to um
introduce resolutions 26044 to 265.
>> Can I have a second?
>> A second to adopt those resolutions.
>> Have a roll call. Cindy,
>> Commissioner Langraph.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Mento.
>> Yes.
>> Creable.
>> Yes. Tom, may I have uh
bills and payroll, please? Read into the
right.
>> Yeah. Good. Accounts
payable 3,160,1201010
and payroll is $615,289.91.
Actually, it might be $88.
Is it you're you're laughing at me.
$615,288.91.
>> Thank you. And I have a motion to
approve bills and payroll.
>> Motion to approve bills and payroll.
>> I have a second. Second.
>> Cindy, can I have a roll call, please?
>> Commissioner Langrath,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Mento,
>> yes.
>> Creable.
>> Yes. Uh, I have no announcements or
safety reports, but do we have any
commissioner comments? Do you want to go
first?
>> I have I have nothing new to offer that
I haven't already said at prior
meetings. So,
>> Okay.
>> Um, I think that's it for me tonight. I
have a couple things, but Commissioner
Langraph, do you have anything uh you
want to
>> just an update on on the boardwalk?
That's kind of the biggest Well, two
things. Boardwalk and the water tower.
Boardwalk is moving along. Um if you've
been up there lately, the post for post
for the first pavilion there right at
the pier were, as of this morning, they
were installed. I don't know if they got
any further, but the posts were up. Um
they were framing out the second
pavilion there, smaller one. Um,
piling's going better. It's going
faster. So, they anticipate starting
decking probably depending on weather.
You know, I don't think tomorrow, but
maybe early next week, they'll start
decking um in that area where they're
working closer to uh the pier water
tower. We had a little bit of a setback
yesterday. Um we're draining the tower
to start the maintenance on it and
refurbishment. And the line that takes
that water from the tower into the bay
had a big hole in it. So everything goes
at once. We had a water leak the day
before. So they fixed that yesterday.
Tower should be fully drained by today.
I haven't gotten an update as yet from
from Ernie, but it should have been
drained today and then uh they'll start
the refurbishment of that uh interior of
the tank first and work their way out
and then eventually repainting the
entire thing. So
>> that's pretty much it off the cuff
tonight.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you.
>> Yep. Thank you. Um um I just want to
mention that there um uh that uh the two
things uh related I guess. Um our code
red system has had some difficulty for
people signing up. All the people who
were registered prior to March of 2025
were migrated into a new dispatch list
and no further effort is required.
There will be a test of code red system
tomorrow, Friday, January 23rd at noon.
This is only a test. It does not require
a response. Does not require anyone to
uh to call city hall. It is simply a
test. If you receive the test, this will
be confirmation that you are actively
enrolled. We have 3,245
people code red registered. Um there uh
so there may have been uh some people
that were not migrated after March of
2025. If uh but if you receive this
test, that means that you are actively
enrolled and you will have no further
actions to complete. If you do not
receive a test, you will need to
register. We will be also be actively um
looking at uh how the the test uh takes
place. Uh you can go to vetnercity.org.
You can watch our our Facebook site and
our website. Um if you do not receive a
test tomorrow, um it's recommended you
register on a computer and not on your
phone. The phone tends to have um small
uh small links and small pages that can
cause some confusion. Um so uh after uh
so rest assured that we do have an
active list of 3,245
people. My guess is that most people
will be um notified yesterday and
there'll be a small number of people who
are not. The people that were having
difficulty were likely people that are
um that were already registered. So, um,
also going into tomorrow and Saturday,
we have a pretty substantial storm,
um, uh, forecasted for our air,
>> uh, ranging from 8 to 18 in. So, our,
um, our fire department, um, will be,
uh, holding, uh, holding a shift over
from Sunday from midnight, uh, on and
probably adding some uh, overtime. The
following day we have 348
fire hydrants that will have to be make
sure they're cleared and accessible. So
um a lot of uh a lot of shoveling and uh
making sure that that they are in
operation. Um uh Lance, there was um
definitely some um uh uh some thank yous
given out to Ernie and the water
department team. This is according to
our um our fire chief who's been here uh
his entire professional career. I
believe this is one of the only times
that every single hydrant in town has
been operating 100%. There may So he's
uh he's he was very appreciative of the
work that Ernie does in upgrading and
keeping and maintaining whenever there's
a problem, but um all hydrants are up
and running.
>> Great. I will I will make sure Ernie's
aware and the crews are aware. It's
>> yeah,
>> not an easy. They're they're fire
hydrants are a they're a problem. So,
you know, glad to hear that. Glad to
hear that.
>> There's always redundancies and backups,
but um but but we have we have all um
all all hydrants working and they'll be
all dug out. But just encourage people
to also to um be aware that they need to
shovel their sidewalks um after a snow
event like this so that people who are
using public transportation and our
sidewalks um can safely navigate them.
Um
>> just to follow up on that, mayor,
because I I forgot to mention the storm
coming up. Uh public works will be we
have a meeting tomorrow to go over
preparations for that storm. You will
see probably tomorrow and Saturday the
brine trucks will be out uh hitting our
major roadways uh around city hall.
They'll be salulting. All the public
buildings will be salulting getting
ready for that storm. So um follow the
weather channels, follow, you know, your
your favorite app on your phone and you
know this could be a significant storm
event.
>> Yep. It seems to be shaping up to be
that. Do
>> you want to give Sarah a post about
shoveling the sidewalk? Uh
>> we can reminding people. Yeah. Sure, we
can.
>> Do you want me to do that or you want to
handle it? Okay.
>> Um,
so um after uh any other The only other
comment I would have is just as we get
into the there's also uh uh please
follow our Facebook page. We have uh we
have u our there's classes coming up in
the recck department. We mentioned that.
And our arts uh our cultural arts center
also has classes in the in the
wintertime if you're looking for things
to do. Um any other uh commissioner
comments or reports?
>> Not on my end. Thank you.
>> Okay. So at this time we have a moment
in the agenda for public comment on
anything Vetner city related. Um the
Vetner city commission welcomes
participation of interested
organizations and individuals during
this regular session. Uh uh we order uh
however in order to for the commission
to conduct business and be most
productive. We ask uh uh to speak to any
questions and comments um to limit to
three minutes per person. If you wish to
address the commission, please step up
to the microphone um and state your name
and address. Can I have a motion to open
the meeting for public comment?
I have a motion to open.
>> I will make the motion to open for
public comment.
>> I have a second.
>> Second.
>> Roll call. Cindy.
>> Commissioner Langraph.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Mento.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Creable.
>> Yes. So, anyone that wishes to make a
comment, please step up to the
microphone. Let me turn it on for you.
Got it.
>> Thank you.
Please state your name and address,
please.
>> Good evening to you all. My name is Ed
Dixon. I live at 3507 Asbury Avenue in
Ocean City, New Jersey.
And
I am a member of the VFW Lifelong in
Washington Township, New Jersey. I'm a
member of the Knights of Columbus,
Lifelong, also in Washington Township,
New Jersey.
and I'm also a member of the American
Legion in Ocean City.
And I am here to thank you for all you
do to honor our military veterans over
the years
on Memorial Day celebration,
the
June 6th celebration
uh of our military bremans. Um,
the this is their 82nd anniversary of
the invasion of Normandy, June 6th.
Think of that day. Over 2 million
military personnel.
Over 4,000 ships and over 4,000 planes
of all types.
The greatest armada the world has ever
seen.
As you know, after a long battle,
defeat of the enemy was maintained. This
year, we will be celebrating the 250th
anniversary of our great country.
For 250 years, our military has allowed
us to live in peace and liberty and
freedom. Many good men and women have
fought and some never return. Today they
are still fighting in foreign countries
to keep us safe and preserve our
freedom.
In November, we celebrate Veterans Day,
a great reme
chance to have tribute to them. There is
something I would love to you to
consider. I am here to ask the mayor and
council of Ventner to consider
dedicating the entire month of August to
our military veterans,
men and women.
They are supported and made them many
sacrifices for us and in their families.
I have talked to VFW and American Legion
and they seem to like the idea. We will
talk again.
It is the veteran, not the preacher, who
has given us freedom of religion.
It is the veteran, not the reporter, who
has given us freedom of the press.
It is the veteran, not the poet, who has
given us freedom of speech.
It is the veteran, not the campus
organizer, who has given us the freedom
to assemble.
It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who
has given us the right of a fair trial.
It is the veteran, not the politician,
who has given us the right to vote.
So, I'm asking for the month of August.
We have special celebrations for other
months. This month of August, it's the
last month of summer and usually
accumulates the largest crowds before
everybody has to go back to work again.
Also, the month of August has a number
of days in it that don't seem to be
mentioned anymore. and I thought tonight
I'd mention them to you. August the 1st
is Air Force Day.
August the 4th, United States Coast
Guard was established in 1790.
August 7th, Purple Heart Medal was
established in 1782.
Also, the Veterans War
begins 1964.
Japan surrenders on August the 14th,
1945.
August 16th, National Airborne Day,
August 19th, National Aviation Day, and
on the 26th, Women's Equality Day.
So, what I'm trying to do is establish
this month to honor our veterans because
of 250 years they've allowed us to live
in freedom. So, I'm asking this mayor
and council to consider dedicating the
month of August.
And hopefully many of the people who
come down here to visit will go home
thinking, "Wow, Ventner dedicated the
month of August to our military
veterans.
Maybe when they go back to their cities
and towns, they can suggest to them to
do the same thing.
Because that is my quest. I will not
stop. As long as I can walk, I will
continue talking to different mayors and
councils of cities and towns,
even to newspapers, which I've done
already. And I also want you to know too
that I'm backed up
by Mayor Jeff uh or
uh Council
Congressman Jeff Andrew. Uh I have
spoken to him about this a number of
times. He has also suggested to the
house that this month of August also be
dedicated. He doesn't know how long
it'll take for that to happen, but he
says he'll watch on it and hope it
happens soon.
So, I thank you for your attention and
may God bless you all.
>> Thank you,
>> Tim. I didn't catch the gentleman's
name. Um, so I apologize, but uh
>> my name is Ed Ed Dixon, 6093982478.
I live at 3507.
>> I don't I don't need all that, sir. I
just want to thank you. My My son's
currently serving in the Navy. Um, he's
in his last year, last of six years as a
naval aviator. So, Tim and Ray, you know
how I feel.
>> All right. I'm
>> all for it.
>> I'm glad to hear you. Okay. Thank you
for that comment and I wish him the
best.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
>> I um I have no objection either. I would
just put you in touch with our local BFW
so that we're coordinating with them.
Give them give them uh to be a part of
whatever communications we have. Yeah.
I'll pass it on
>> presentation.
>> Thank you.
>> Um, that was a very nice presentation
and I'm all for the month of August for
our veterans. Um, on a sadder note,
>> could you just give your name and
address, please?
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Mary Samberg, 219
Northwest Hicken Avenue.
>> Okay.
Um I I don't know if you remember
me, but I was here a year ago regarding
the boats out in the um bay with an
ordinance
>> and I followed up and um with your
attorney because I was here for uh one
of the meetings and she was going to
look into the ordinance about the boats
docking and staying and living out in
the Back Bay and nothing was ever
followed up through the city. So, I'm
here to bring that to your attention
again. But in the meantime, uh because
the ordinance wasn't put in and the
boats were not rendered
unseaworthy and taken away, now the
boats have sunk and they're an eyes sore
behind our house. I didn't come right
over because uh Sito was behind our
house giving the city a price to get the
boats removed. So I figured I'll give
you guys time, but nothing has happened
in the meantime. And I called STO and
they said that the city wasn't moving
forward with removing the boats. So,
um, I had spoken to Jeff Drew's office
and they said it's the city's
responsibility and they gave me the
paperwork regarding getting rid of those
boats.
>> Um, I'm just here trying to follow up
and understand what's going on with it.
>> You can pass that on to the uh our our
administrator and our attorney. I just
uh I would just clarify that
>> um we did meet in person and we did pass
this on to our attorney and the attorney
has been looking at ways that we can
create an ordinance as a municipality.
But as you may know that our our our
jurisdiction ends at the bulkhead. So
then there so it's not as though we can
enforce something that is in an open
waterway. Tom has been working on this.
our police captain and our police chief
have been working on this. Commissioner
Mento has been uh offering some uh
>> We still have that from Long Break.
>> Yes. Yes, we do.
>> We do. Okay.
>> Um so I'm just telling you there has
been movement on our side.
>> Um
>> so working with the state police,
>> working with the
>> they're helping us try to
>> Well, this police I I was in touch with
the marine police. The marine police
said that um it's up to the city to
remove
>> want to just follow up. I I I want to
before we get back into back and forth
too much. Tom has been the has been
basically the lead on this. So I'd like
to hear what he has to say before we
>> I'm going to be very brief because
there's there's likely to be litigation.
There have been uh complaints filed
against the gentleman that that as far
as we know owns the boats. The police
department is actively pursuing uh an
application that is relevant to this uh
to do a title search and to potentially
acquire title to the boats so that we
can legally remove them and have them
destroyed.
>> Right. So the title applic
>> we're in the pro
>> we're doing a title search to see who
those posts are are registered to but I
can't say I don't know the answer to the
question because we're just doing the
search. So
>> uh but the uh the state police have been
very good at at doing this not ours.
>> It's not right everybody seems
>> one of the problems here is that the
boats are not in the navigable water. So
they're not a hazard to navigation. So
the Coast Guard, the state police or
marine police kind of wash their hands
of it, that it's in this harbor that
doesn't go anywhere. So they don't
really care. And I we understand your
frustration that it's an eyesore, but uh
we are we are working on it. We haven't
forgotten about it. It's been difficult,
but we are working on it.
>> And it's it's not it's not factual. When
I read on social media that the city is
doing nothing, I read that. I took
offense to it. The city's been working
on this, but our hands are tied in many
ways, but we're trying to work around
that.
>> Yeah. So, as an alternative, if we were
to go in there and without making any
any of this background, finding the
title, finding the the legal ways to
doing it, spending 7 to12,000
of taxpayer money to get that done, that
would have been an issue. Of course, I
don't want to spend the taxpayers money.
That's why I try to
>> That's what we're here. That's what
we're discussing. And I appreciate your
frustration and I understand.
>> Yeah.
>> It's when I talked to the marine police,
the marine police said that if these
boats were stranded on the beach, that
would get rid of them that day. And I
Great.
>> It's not that ma'am. It's not that easy.
So it you you have to be able to take
title to the boats to we've followed up
with the state police. They've told us
the process. Uh is it it's Captain CBO,
I believe, right, Mayor?
>> That Yep, that's correct.
>> He's been in contact with an officer of
the state marine police. They've given
us the steps. It's a lengthy lengthy
process.
>> It's We couldn't come in and just take
your home or your car if it was
abandoned. You have to have legal
jurisdiction to do it. We don't
currently have that.
>> Yeah. We wish we trust me.
>> We wish we did. We'd be out there. We We
had We got prices from STO. We got
prices from I think uh Newport Marine.
>> Yeah.
>> We don't want to We don't want to
>> that that was put out.
>> We don't want to see it either.
>> All of them out there.
>> But then when I you know I I tried to
call the city. I called the mayor's
office to talk to Patty. She wasn't
here. I stopped into the city, you know,
not to have to come here at nighttime to
do this, put it on the record.
>> Uh, but it has been a year,
>> you know. I mean, like it's kind of
getting to the ridiculous point. And I
kind of tend to lean towards what the
marine police had said. If the boats had
floated up on the beach, it wouldn't
take a year.
>> It would be the same.
>> It's the process, ma'am. the the
description that they've provided to us.
You have to wait certain period of time
to do something. Once that occurs, then
you have to wait another 30 days. It is
a we are in that waiting period right
now. That's the last that's the last
update I saw.
>> And actually about three four months
ago, someone from the state police
reached out to us
>> with um some ideas. So, it may have be
your year a year since you were first
here, but it was about three or four
months ago when the state police
contacted us
>> with some something, you know, they
wanted to talk to us about on how to go
about this. And that's what Tom is
referring to, too. This lengthy process.
>> And there's there's a clear distinction
that I think we need to make between a
beach, a a boat that gets grounded on
the beach versus a boat that is
abandoned. There has to be a
determination that it was in fact
abandoned. the person that runs up on
the beach is likely to have it towed
back out into the water and removed and
go about their merry business.
>> It took these boats were not abandoned
until fairly recently when they sunk. So
that's when a different process is
triggered to get title, to remove them,
to have them disposed of. the gentleman
who owns it has a certain period of time
in which to reclaim it before we can uh
collect impoundment fees. It there's a
process that has to be followed and
we're trying to do that and do it right
so that we don't wind up on the wrong
end of litigation. I I understand your
frustration and I understand but I I
don't think that analogy is correct that
those are those are those are recovery
operations and the the owners are
typically
in place
>> can't be towed out if it was like a
shipwreck type of deal they would get
rid of it. I mean I think we both agree
that that's would happen.
>> Rest assured this is on our agenda with
the police department.
>> Understand? just want to I wanted to
know what was going on and how to follow
up because Vandrew's office gave me that
paperwork and that paperwork says 30
days after the thing is abandoned that
it's now public property and you can
remove it. It can be removed within that
30 days as long as it's documented and
the marine police said it's been
documented that it they were abandoned
>> and sunk. So,
I'm sorry.
>> I don't know how else to to say it. We
are following that process with the
guidance of the state police, our
attorneys, and we are moving through
that process. I don't know how else we
can We are all very frustrated with
this. We are all very frustrated.
>> Believe me, nobody knows more than me.
>> Yeah. And I'm back there all the time. I
see it. So,
>> with Mark Hai
>> on a constant basis,
>> can we please not use names?
>> I just ask you not to use any name. I
well um it's his vote.
>> I realize that but you're in a public
forum. We ask you to protect the uh
privac personal privacy.
>> Well, I don't know how I second part of
this then because this person that owns
the boat uh is now trying to live behind
our
>> Yeah, we're we're familiar with that.
That'sing it.
>> We are we are addressing it. Again, I
mean, I I I don't want to just beat a
dead horse here, but but the the
maritime laws are not necessarily
uh going to play in our favor here. I I
already pointed out that the boats were
not in navigable waters. So, the Coast
Guard and the Marine Police essentially
wash their hands of it. And there's
nothing that I'm aware of statutoily
that prohibits somebody that owns a boat
from anchoring up for a period of up to
30 days and living on that boat.
Ma'am, I'm just telling you the way that
it was when this process started. I know
exactly where he is now.
>> All right, I'm going to stop.
>> Thank you. Thank you for your comments.
>> I'm very I'm very sorry, but he isn't on
the boot and understand
>> he's popping up.
>> That's a That's a police matter. We're
not going to discuss that at this
meeting.
>> Okay. All right. So, moving forward,
what are we looking at as far as like a
timeline?
>> Your guess is as good as ours. We're in
the process of getting title to the boat
as I said to you and then we'll go from
there
>> cuz I know there's two different owners.
Correct. You are aware of that?
>> No,
we do not know officially who owns the
boats. That's why we're doing a title
search with the state motor vehicle
commission to see who those boats are
registered to. Then once we know that
officially, when we have a document that
that says this belongs to him and that
belongs to her, then we can take the
next step. Until that happens, we're
going to continue to do this in a in a
welcome to reach out
>> saying, but they both are registered
votes. And to be registered, you have to
be the titled owner. Correct.
>> I'm going to defer to
>> we just we've already said that. Yeah,
that's what we're pursuing. a title the
city gaining title on them so that we
can dispose of them.
>> Okay. So, you are going to
>> that's what the motion is doing. You
It's not just there to rot.
>> Correct.
>> Okay. That's really all I'm here for.
Okay.
>> All right.
I appreciate your time.
>> Thank you.
>> Anyone in the Zoom platform that wishes
to make a comment about anything
regarding Ventner City? Anybody on Zoom
wish to make any comments, please make
yourself known and be recognized.
Nope. All right.
Okay. We have a motion to close public
comment.
>> I'll make the motion to close public
comment.
>> I have a second.
>> You said it.
>> I heard second. May I have a roll call?
Cindy. Commissioner Langrath,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Mento,
>> yes.
>> Neo Creable,
>> yes. I see no executive session listed.
>> I may have a motion to adjurnn.
>> Motion to adjurnn.
>> I have a second.
>> Second.
>> Roll call.
>> Second.
>> Commissioner Langress.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Mento.
>> Yes. Mayor
>> Creel.
>> Thanks, Lance. Uh, yes. Thanks for uh
drive safely.
>> Yeah. Thanks. It's almost where I'm
going. So, thank you.
>> Yep.
Meeting adjourned.