June 25 2026 Ventnor City Commission Meeting

Good evening. I call to order this
evening's meeting, June 25th, 2026, uh,
Vendor City Commission meeting. Uh, call
to order. May I ask you all to rise for
the flag salute, please?
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag, United
States of America,
>> to the republic for it stands, one
nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. Thank you.
Uh, Lisa,
would you uh uh take the roll call,
please?
>> Commissioner Langraph,
>> here.
>> Commissioner Mento, absent. Mayor
Crebel,
>> here. Lisa, would you please read the
open public meeting announcement?
>> 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.
>> Thank you. Would you please leave the
live streaming announcement, please? The
city of Vendor offers live streaming and
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 the live meeting. The city
reserves the right to discontinue remote
access at the discretion of the city for
any future meetings.
>> Thank you. We have one um ordinance
introduction this evening. Ordinance
2026-012
bond ordinance providing for phase one
of the Winchester Avenue sanitary sewer
main replacement project by the city of
Ventner in the county of Atlantic
New Jersey appropriating $3 million
therefore authorizing the issuance of up
to $3 million aggregate principal amount
or note to the city of Ventner County of
Atlantic New Jersey finance the cost
thereof knowing that there is no
workshop this evening uh I'd like to
discuss it a little bit um if we could
so that we're so that we don't have any
uh questions about it later and we can
discuss it again just to interject that
but if you would add a little color.
>> Sure. So the most part this is a sewer
main replacement. This is a large line
that runs down Winchester Avenue 30 in I
want to say. So it's a main trunk line
of our our waste water that comes
through the city goes to the plant and
it gets pumped out to uh ACUA. Um the
reason we're doing these bonds and the
resolution thereafter is I bank. We're
trying to get this funded through the I
bank. We just did one for water,
>> right?
>> Um this is a sister thing. We tried to
get them done together, but there was a
little bit of a glitch in that. I'll
call it a glitch. Um so we have that's
why the special meeting tonight.
>> Later on, we'll have a resolution that
allows us to go to the IBACK.
>> Correct. Correct. So it's it's a it's a
capital improvement that's sorely
needed. It's a a main that is heavily
used by everybody on on this side of the
city, I'll say. Um for wastewater,
>> so it's the island side of West of
Winchester Avenue. Yep. Yep.
>> Which goes between the heights. And uh
so we're going to have a vote on this to
introduce the resolution. We discussed
it a little bit about having a
>> Do you want to do it now or do you
>> first
>> and then adopt the resolution.
>> Yeah. We I didn't know if you wanted to
like talk about both of them and then
open up to the public if anybody had any
questions and then go back and vote
since
>> I'll leave that to that.
>> Yeah. I didn't do it like a workshop.
>> Well, I kind of I'm sorry. You kind of
already just did it. The resolution is
going to be authorizing the application
to the I bank to finance this ordinance,
their companion.
>> Yeah.
>> So there you go. That's the discussion.
>> That's the discussion. Do we need to
allow the public to open that discussion
at this point or
>> Well, there'll be a public for the
resolution. We should
>> there's a public comment
>> on July 9th. It'll be um public
>> before we vote. I mean,
>> yeah. But normally in the workshop, you
guys go through everything and then
before you vote on anything, you let the
public interject. But so we're clear,
you're going to adopt the resolution.
You're introducing the ordinance. July
9th will be the public hearing and
presumably the adoption of the
ordinance. The resolution will be done
today.
>> Okay. So we can vote on the introduction
and then talk and then have a public
comment at the next at the next meeting.
>> Public hearing in on the ordinance at on
July 9th.
>> The resolution is here before you to
approve today. Be done with it. And if
anybody wants when after you're done,
you're going to have your normal public
comment. People can comment if they
want.
>> Right. So, so might as well vote on this
now and then go to the next one. Right.
>> So, uh, can I have a motion to introduce
ordinance 2026-012
bond ordinance as we've described?
>> I'll make that motion.
>> I'll second it. I have a roll call.
Lisa,
>> Commissioner Langrif.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Creable.
>> Yes.
Next item on the agenda is resolution as
we we discussed briefly 2026-186
resolution city of Ventner County of
Atlantic State of New Jersey authorizing
the filing of an application for a
short-term construction loan from the
New Jersey I bank under the construction
finance program and authorizing the
issuance of a construction loan note in
connection there with the Winchester
Avenue sanitary sewer main replacement
project phase one in the previous
ordinance introduction. ction. So I
think we've already discussed that in a
way there's any anything else to discuss
>> just to say why the I bank is we can get
a lot of that those funds either
forgiven right
>> or very low interest loans right
>> so that that's why we try and do things
with the I bank the I bank is a um
>> uh how do you describe the I bank it
helps with water and sewer projects
throughout the state it's a it's a fund
that is funded by the state of New
Jersey that we are
>> infrastructure bank
exactly so yep
>> so we're allowed to use that for our
sewer motor type projects here on the
island. We could do storm water too if
we needed to.
>> Um but for the most part we've been
relying heavily on the I bank for a lot
of the work we're doing.
>> Right. And it's only natural. This is
these are the larger funded programs.
It's almost like bonding in a way that's
bonding for bonding.
>> And a lot of it you get some of the
design of our our design costs for these
projects were paid through the IP.
>> So
>> okay. So I'm comfortable with that
conversation. And if I can I call for if
I can get a a motion to uh for
resolution to adopt resolution.
>> We should open that one to the public.
>> Should we think we should open that to
the public? Okay. I think so.
>> All right. Um would like to open uh
motion to open to the public. Resolution
2026-1. No. Yeah.
>> You don't you don't typically do public
hearing or uh comment on resolutions.
You adopt them and then
>> the next thing on the agenda is public.
I would disagree with that. So, we
typically have a workshop.
>> We go through all the resolutions.
>> You're right. I forgot you did that.
>> And then we have public comment on
those. So,
>> that's I would like to open it up to the
public.
>> Okay. So, if if anybody So, I'd like to
motion open to the public. Uh discussion
on resolution 2026-186.
>> So, moved.
Anybody in the public like to talk about
the I bank and our water sewer project?
Doesn't look like it in the in the
chambers. Anybody on the Zoom platform
wish to make any comment on resolution
2026-186
before the vote?
>> Anybody want to make any comments?
Please make yourself known by raising
your hand or within the chat feature and
you will be recognized.
>> I got three motion to close. I'll make a
motion to close.
>> I'll second.
>> Commissioner Langrav.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Kel.
>> Yes.
Motion. Motion to adopt resolution
2026-186.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Please have roll call, please.
>> Second.
>> I have a second.
>> Commissioner Langrif.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Creable.
>> Yes.
>> All right. Let's get to our part.
>> Okay.
All right. That was really the main
purpose of the special meeting this
evening.
>> Right. Uh at this time with any p with
any commission meeting the vendor
commission welcomes participation of
interested organizations or individuals
during a workshop or regular as well as
special meetings. However, in order for
the con the commission to conduct
business in the city's most productive
manner, public comments on specific
agenda items, question and comments
during the workshop or at the end of the
regular meetings will be limited to
three minutes per person on issues. If
you have anything addition you want to
talk to, you can always reach out to us
in person or at our offices. Um, if you
wish to address the commission on any
subject throughout the city, please step
up to the microphone. State your name
and address and state your comments.
Now's the time.
Hello. Hello.
>> Your name and address.
>> My name is David Frank. I live at 19
South Lafayette.
Tonight I come with you to you with two
questions. But first a statement.
According to the Melanoma Research
Foundation, about 234,680
new cases of melanoma is diagnosed in
the United States and kills 8,150
people. My sister passed away at 72, my
father-in-law at 52. Melanoma is real,
but we can protect from radiation by
wearing UPF 50 plus shirts. This is
scientific fact. The synthetic fibers
block up to 98% of the UV rays emitted
by the sun. This is not active wear.
This is individual protective gear. This
apparel can protect us. It can protect
the beachgoing public. Golfers wear it.
Boers wear it. Young mothers cover their
kids with it. My company, Ray Pella,
outfits the beach patrols from New from
the state of New Hampshire to Cape May
County. We are a quasi nonprofit. All
profits go to the Melanoma Research
Foundation and the Skin Cancer
Foundation in the name of the beach
patrols we supply. Dave Funk, chief of
veterary beach patrols can verify this.
I've come to you today with two
questions.
One, while we're protecting our beach
patrols, why are we not protecting our
beach taggers? Brigant team protects
their kids and so does Wildwood. Perhaps
there is interest, but no money to
support this program or form of
protection. I urge the city to fund this
initiative. Cotton shirts offer our kids
2% protection
against sun's radiation. UPF shirts 98
protection. We are fighting cancer. Two,
second question is broader. Can the city
offer the option to its citizens of
purchasing protective gear at the same
time the city offers beach tags for
sale? I've been told a few times that
the city can't promote a company, and I
understand. But by putting out an RFP,
the process of fair pricing is in play.
No single company is being promoted. But
more importantly, giving the people
access to this form of health care at a
heavily discounted cost is government
working for them.
Any questions? Thank you for your time.
>> So, I don't know that that we want to
get into the clothing business.
>> No. Can I
>> Yeah,
>> I uh responded to Mr. Frank probably
less than an hour ago response to that
message that was delivered in an email.
Uh I've made a commitment to him that we
would look at his product. We are uh
aware of the dangers of the sun and the
need for UV protection. I even told Mr.
Frank that I purchased UV protective
clothing for my own family uh in the way
of the types of shirts that he sells and
we will certainly take a look at the
product. Uh we are committed to
providing safety gear for all of our
employees and we will look at that. As
far as the second part about uh
offering the opportunity for people to
purchase them in our building when they
come to purchase beach tags. I don't
think that that's something that would
be appropriate.
>> Yeah, that's that's what I was kind of
commenting. I do like the idea of of
getting stuff. We we do it for our
lifeguards. It's not a bad idea for our
beach checkers.
>> Um public works guys. They're out there
too. I know they're mostly in cotton
shirts, right, Rick? Um so certainly are
you is your company your non say it's a
nonprofit. Is it tied to any um state
contract? Is it under state contract?
>> Only under the state of New Hampshire.
>> Okay.
You can look if there's any coalitions
that we can go through to get that.
>> Well, I think the volume of shirts that
we would be purchasing would be under
the bid threshold.
>> All right. Options. So that's why he's
here.
>> I'm sorry.
>> Um options. So if the if the bid
threshold is less, we can go out and
just ask for a couple vendors to give us
pricing on it
>> and go that way. So that that's an
easier way to do that uh without going
through state contract and and formal
bidding uh processes which we normally
have to do for um purchasing of of
equipment and things like that. Bigger
type things and services. So, if that's
something we can we can certainly look
at getting for our our beach badge
checkers and I said public works Mike
the guys that are outside. I mean PD is
a different animal because they're in
different types of uniforms. But
>> yeah, I kind of land in the same way. I
feel like it if it falls under a safety
uh safety gear for our employees. I can
see where it would be something that we
might purchase in small quantities. But
the notion of creating merchandising and
then the management of it, the selling
of it, the warehousing of it, the
advertising of it, the distribution of
it, that's not the business that we're
in. And I don't think I think there's
private companies that you could likely
partner with in the city of Ventner that
might be more,
>> you know, that would be that would have
social media presences for those kinds
of things for the all the same good
reasons. What you're doing is a good
thing, but we don't necessarily need to
compete with the people in the area that
are selling shirts.
>> Fair. Yeah,
>> thank you. I appreciate that.
>> And also, just for the record, we do
provide sunscreen to the beach checkers.
>> And we we do
>> No, I know.
>> We do provide shirts. They're not UV
rated, but we do provide shirts and
visors and uh
sunblock.
>> Right.
So,
>> and umbrellas. I think we put umbrellas
under chairs.
>> Yes.
>> But I like the idea of maybe looking at
some of those light long sleeve shirts
like the one he's wearing.
>> Yeah, the beach patrol does have them.
land. I've seen them.
>> I saw him this weekend. The ocean rescue
on it.
>> So, let let's We have his Mr. Frank's
comp contact.
>> I do.
>> Okay.
>> I also have the price.
>> Thank you very much. Appreciate your
time. Thank you.
>> Any other people in the public would
like to speak about any topic regarding
Ventner?
>> Uh my name is Alan Laterer. I live at
110 South Dorset in Veter. Uh Mayor
Crael, you and I have been emailing a
couple times over the last couple weeks.
This is regarding the banner at the base
of the ramps of the new light pole on
the boardwalk.
>> Okay.
>> And so I originally brought it up in an
email to the mayor that um the boardwalk
just looks beautiful. It's an absolute
great job all the way around. The new
addition is that there's a light pole
that was put on the base of the ramp at
every entrance to the boardwalk, which
I'm also 110% in favor of. It was always
dark at the base of the boardwalk. What
I'm not in favor of is that there was a
banner put on that pole that now faces
the residents of the block. And so that
every time we sit on our porch, I'm
staring at a banner that's blocking my
view as well as everybody else on the
block. Um, I come here just to bring it
formal. You and I have gone back and
forth, but I wanted to bring it in a
formal setting.
>> Um, only three of the streets have a
banner. Um, even though I I'm totally in
favor of the banner program on the rest
of the boardwalk. I think it's tasteful.
I think it looks nice. Um, there's
advertising on it, which I have no
problem. But going onto the ramp of the
boardwalk where the residents have to
now stare at it and I have to look at an
advertisement when I'm sitting trying to
relax, I just don't think is fair. Um,
so I'd like the commissioners to really
review just that portion of it. um to
say that every other light pole can have
it, but it it it just defeats the whole
purpose of what we're trying to do in
St. Leonard's track to try to make it,
you know, really nice and and and um and
and have a really really um classy type
of uh of of area. So, I I wanted to
bring that up to you guys in a formal
setting and hope I could get some
comment from you on what we can do about
it.
I haven't seen the banners up, but thank
you for the comments and and one of the
goals of the new lighting. Sorry to jump
in just to about the boardwalk a little
bit
>> was to improve the lighting across the
entire boardwalk.
>> No doubt.
>> Um we lowered the lights if you noticed.
We added more of them.
>> I did.
>> And then the addition of the ones down
the ramp, which
>> excellent addition that allows you to
see a little bit better if you're going
up there in the evenings and morning.
>> No doubt.
>> Um I had not seen a banner on them yet.
I did see brackets, so I haven't been
out to see an actual banner on there.
Um, so I'll have to go take a look at
it.
>> What was your last name again?
>> Later. L A I T E R.
>> L A I T E R.
>> Ei.
>> I'd reached out to you in the email. You
answered.
>> I have the email. I was just going to
show the um the commission.
>> Show them the picture which I sent.
>> Gotcha.
>> Which which I sent along.
>> So the other option is St. Leonard's
track could buy that banner and you
could advertise. I'm kidding. That's my
>> I'm kidding.
>> You know, the residents of the block are
pretty upset about it and
>> I understand.
>> Uh and and it hasn't gone unnoticed.
Well, why don't we chip in and and buy
it, but that's not really the the right
answer. Who's going to administer it?
And
>> yeah, and I understand. I mean, we we do
have a what would would you could
consider a contract with that person who
paid for their banner for the summer.
without any other push back, there would
be no reason for us to not give them
that contract for the summer. So, we
can't really
take it down and
back based on
>> But do you see see
>> Yeah, but we could possibly review it
next year, not maybe not do something on
those street ends,
>> right?
>> So, keep in mind only three have been
sold. The rest are all blank.
>> Right. And it it would have been nice if
someone would have just taken a half a
step back and say, "Okay, the banner
program we understand is existing, but
does it have any other, you know, any
other issues with it?" And so that's
what bring it up.
>> I can see why I can hear I hear why
you're concerned, you know, the the and
we can all talk we can talk about it.
>> And if you and if you'd like a signature
petition of people on my block, I'm
happy to bring it there.
>> You brought it to our attention.
That's something that that's come to me
for the first time. So, I'm just seeing
it tonight. I will go down and take a
look at it. I've seen a picture, but I
want to see it in
>> Okay.
>> daylight and night time, whatever.
>> Fair. Fair enough.
>> Um I guess I lost my connection to the
Zoom.
>> Um but thank you for bringing it up. I
mean, take a look with the other
commission as well.
>> Yeah, I'd like some feedback of what you
know, you guys think. If uh you know, I
know that person has probably already
paid for for this season. I I get it and
and I do understand the city does get,
you know, some
>> revenue is not really
>> is not that big a deal. Okay. So So
let's talk about maybe the uh you know
the the you know the residents feelings
about you know when they're seeing it.
So
>> I don't want to over sign the place.
>> Right. Thank you very much. Appreciate
it.
>> Thank you.
Uh,
>> anybody on Zoom wish to question or
comment on any item?
>> I'll clear the room.
>> What was that, Jim?
>> Ask anybody on Zoom want to do a
question on any item?
>> No, I'm not seeing anyone.
>> Anyone else here in the in the chambers
wish to make any comments about anything
regarding before we close public portion
>> or in the Zoom platform?
Shout out to Nette at Carver City.
Um,
hearing none. Can I have a motion to
close public comment?
>> So moved.
>> I second. Roll call. Lisa.
>> Commissioner Langri.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Creel.
>> Yes. So a motion to adjurnn.
>> So moved.
>> Second. Roll call. Lisa.
>> Commissioner Langri.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Creable.
>> Yes. Make me jerk.