WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=AphR1PbBdJo Part: 1 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:01:03.600 Heat. Heat. It is now 4 o' 1600 The meeting of the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners is now called to order. In compliance with public meeting the state of New Jersey, 2 00:01:03.600 --> 00:01:21.040 adequate notice of this meeting has been provided the following manner posted on the Atlantic County website, published in the press of city and mailed to the ham and has been posted on the bulletin board in the county office building 3 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:40.960 city. Still and county office. This time we'll have our opening prayer. >> Oh heavenly father, grant us the wisdom to walk in your light and the courage to accept the responsibilities placed on 4 00:01:40.960 --> 00:02:00.240 us. Grant that our principles may be sound, our decisions wise, and our performance to in office faithful. Amen. >> Amen. Please join with me in saluting the flag of our country. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the 5 00:02:00.240 --> 00:02:29.920 United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Chairman, Commissioner Days is attending virtually today. Patino 6 00:02:29.920 --> 00:02:46.160 >> here. >> Burns >> here. >> R. Days >> here. >> C. Days. >> Kern >> here. >> Parker >> present. >> Ruffio >> here. >> Shanker. >> Yes. >> Grizzly >> here. Okay. Uh we've been pro provided a 7 00:02:46.160 --> 00:03:03.120 a copy of the minutes from the July 7th meeting and I will entertain a motion at this time to adopt them as presented. >> Moved. Second. >> Second. >> Been moved and second. Any discussion on the minutes? Hearing none. Please call the role. 8 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:18.800 >> Bertino. >> Yes. >> Burns. Yes. R. Days. >> Yes. >> C days. >> Karn. >> Yes. >> Parker. >> Yes. >> Rafio. Yes. >> Shanker. >> Yes. >> Grizzly. >> Yes. In accordance with a recently adopted ordinance updating our bylaws of the 9 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:34.239 board of commissioners, there will be an early public comment period regarding items on the agenda only. If you would like the opportunity to address the board regarding any resolution listed on the today's agenda 10 00:03:34.239 --> 00:03:51.040 prior to the board's discussing, please uh make your notice at the time of the public comment period. Anyone attending in person who would like to speak regarding an agenda item or at a public comment, please come to 11 00:03:51.040 --> 00:04:06.000 the podium, speak into the microphone, state your name in the town where you reside. You will be provided up to three minutes to speak during each public comment period. If you are attending virtually and would like to speak, please raise your hand during the agenda 12 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:21.759 item or at public comment at the end of the meeting. I will call upon your name and request to unmute will be sent. Please state your name and the town you reside. You'll be provided up to three minutes to speak. 13 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:37.840 At this time, the early public portion of this meeting is open to the public. Does anyone have any comments regarding any agenda item on today's agenda? Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to 14 00:04:37.840 --> 00:04:53.360 close the public period. >> Second, any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos? Motion carries. Okay. Our first order of business is um scholarships. 15 00:04:53.360 --> 00:05:10.080 It's always a always a happy time. The New Jersey Association of Counties, which we belong to, of course, um with the different uh sponsors of that organization, has provided scholarship money to our to our young people. So, 16 00:05:10.080 --> 00:05:26.479 with that, I'd like to call upon Dr. Phil Gunther Podka to present. Thank you, uh, Chairman Rizley, and want to thank the New Jersey Association of Counties, which, uh, Atlantic County is a active member of, for their 17 00:05:26.479 --> 00:05:42.720 generosity. Um, they give out a number of scholarships each year. Um, and, uh, they are without a doubt a huge help for our students who are entering college next year. Um, as everyone knows, college is more challenging from a financial perspective than probably ever 18 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:58.720 before. So, I know the uh the students and the parents who are here this evening uh greatly appreciate the uh scholarship. I'd like to introduce our um assistant superintendent, former principal of ACIT, Joe P, who will um introduce the students if that's okay. 19 00:05:58.720 --> 00:06:14.720 That is >> and talk a little bit about where they're going next year uh for school and um the scholarships I believe uh that that they're going to receive. You will announce which scholarships uh they are receiving. >> We have a list. Then of course they'll get some pictures with the commissioners 20 00:06:14.720 --> 00:06:31.520 and once again it's because of your active membership in New Jersey Association of Counties that this is possible and it's uh it's funding that's coming into Atlantic County that really helps our students. Mr. P. >> Thank you Dr. So I have um guess I'll move right over 21 00:06:31.520 --> 00:06:47.680 here. >> So first we have um Jason Chia who is receiving the Amazon scholarship. Jason's attending Rogers University next year. She was in our health science program, I believe. Jason, you were also in our in our top 10, correct? 22 00:06:47.680 --> 00:07:07.440 >> So, come on up. Uh, graduating in our top 10 out of class of 430. >> Wow. >> WOW. Can you stand up? >> Um, next AT&T scholarship I and I don't see him here is Yousef Abdalah. Yousef I 23 00:07:07.440 --> 00:07:27.919 did not see here. Yousef is attending. He was also our um senior class president. Got to speak at graduation. Did a great job. He is attending Ruckers University. He was in a computer science program at ACIT. Next is uh receiving the um American Council of Engineering Companies of New 24 00:07:27.919 --> 00:07:51.440 Jersey uh Bradley Moyesus who was in our Ames program engineering. He is attending Rowan University. Come on up. Congratulations. Next uh receiving the investors bank Edy UP who was in health science who will be 25 00:07:51.440 --> 00:08:15.919 attending Stockton University. All right. Also, investors bank it looks like is um Victoria Tran who I did not see here today as well. Victoria is attending um Ruckers University and she was in our as 26 00:08:15.919 --> 00:08:43.440 program engineering program. Uh next NJM insurance group award um Emily Perez who is a computer science who will be attending NJIT next year. And also who is not here? Oh, I'm sorry. 27 00:08:43.440 --> 00:09:03.920 I apologize. SHI International Corporation. Next, James Van who is attending Rowan University of Computer Science. And last but not least, who's not here, Sarah Rich, who is in our Air Force JROTC receiving the South Jersey Industry Scholarship. She will be attending the College of New Jersey next 28 00:09:03.920 --> 00:09:22.880 year. I would like to reiterate Dr. Gunther's um sentiment and how grateful we are. And I'll say um as a South Jersey resident, Atlantic County resident, our students do very well from ACIT. And you'd be hardressed to go in 10 years in any industry down here and not find 29 00:09:22.880 --> 00:09:37.440 somebody who graduated from ACIT in a doctor's office working somewhere who's making us proud. and it's because of the generosity that we receive from community members, from local um local entities that give money to our students. So, thank you on behalf of ACIT staff and administration. So, thank 30 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:57.600 you again. >> You'll stay stay for a moment. We also have uh John Dondio from NJC, I believe, on the line. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's good to see you. I'm sorry I can't be in Atlantic County today, especially since we've got like 31 00:09:57.600 --> 00:10:13.120 tornadoes and locusts and all the kinds of things going up here in in the northern part of part of the state. But uh I just want to congratulate the students. They we get a better group of candidates every single year. I want to thank you and the county executive and the board for for all of your support. 32 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:28.560 And I want to thank uh honestly the the Atlantic County Institute of Technology for their support. Not only uh you know am I grateful to work with them on this scholarship but they are active participants and formidable participants in our cookoff challenge every year and also this year we did our first ac 33 00:10:28.560 --> 00:10:44.880 cappella singoff and they did an amazing job. So I just want to thank uh the leadership there and again thank you congratulate our students and also big thanks to all the corporate uh companies that just continue to demonstrate their their generosity. This wouldn't be possible without them. So so thanks 34 00:10:44.880 --> 00:11:01.760 again for a couple of minutes today Mr. Chairman. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. And we certainly congratulate all of you that have done so well in studies and been able to earn these scholarships because I know uh being a parent myself and kids in college how 35 00:11:01.760 --> 00:11:24.079 expensive it can be. So uh I certainly congratulate you on your hard work and I we wish you all the best in life. So thank you. Thank you for be being here today. any like to say anything? >> I would like to say just like a few 36 00:11:24.079 --> 00:11:40.720 thank you words. I really appreciate it especially since like I applied to a bunch of scholarships online and sometimes you know you don't know how like just how reliable they are sometimes. >> Correct. >> And I wasn't able to get many of them. So receiving this after the scholarship night really meant a lot especially with 37 00:11:40.720 --> 00:12:04.640 somebody who can't really get that much financial aid in the first place. It does mean a lot. Thank you. >> Anyone else like to speak? >> All right. We all had a little mic fright. >> Well, again, thank you for being here. I really really appreciate it. Wish you 38 00:12:04.640 --> 00:12:46.800 all the best. >> Thank you. have to get in the very >> back. Of course, >> you can stand behind for >> ready. >> Thank you. 39 00:12:46.800 --> 00:13:16.440 >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Have to stay for the whole meeting. How about that? Thank you. >> For the rest of your summer, guys. >> Thank you. 40 00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:47.040 >> You're usually next to me. It's all right. I I showered earlier, too. now that everybody knows that. >> Okay, moving on. >> Our grants section of our agenda. I entertain a motion that we combine and 41 00:13:47.040 --> 00:14:07.199 adopt resolutions 361 to 368. >> Moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. >> Adam Clark, please call the role. >> Martino, >> yes. >> Burns, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes. 42 00:14:07.199 --> 00:14:23.360 >> C Days, >> yes. >> Hearn, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. person professional service agreements. We have number 369 and number 370. I'll 43 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:42.880 entertain a motion we combine and adopt those as well. >> Move. >> Second. Okay. Move and second. Any discussion on them? Hearing none. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Bertino? >> Yes. >> Burns? >> Yes. R. Days? >> Yes. >> C Days? >> Yes. >> Earn? 44 00:14:42.880 --> 00:14:56.560 >> Yes. >> Parker? >> Yes. >> Ruffio? Yes. >> Shanker. >> Yes. >> Grizzly. >> Yes. And of course, as always, each of these resolutions that has to do with funding have all been reviewed by the budget committee, 45 00:14:56.560 --> 00:15:15.920 and we recommend approval. Moving on with competitive contracts number 371 to 373. Entertain a motion to combine adopt these. >> Second. >> Any discussion? 46 00:15:15.920 --> 00:15:32.839 None. Please call the role. >> Bertino, >> yes. Burns, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> C Days, >> yes. >> Bern, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruff, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> Moving on. 47 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:55.199 under bid contracts. Okay. We'll entertain a motion to combine and adopt 374 through 376. >> So move second. >> Any discussion on those contracts? Hearing none, please call the roll. 48 00:15:55.199 --> 00:16:10.800 >> Martino, >> yes. >> Burns, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> Case, >> yes. >> Hearn, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. Uh under change orders we have two 377 and 378. 49 00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:27.279 Chair will entertain a motion there to combine and adopt. >> Moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion on these change orders? Hearing none. Please call the role. >> Martino. Yes. >> Burns. Yes. R. Days. Yes. C. Days. 50 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:46.880 >> Yes. >> Fern. Yes. >> Parker. Yes. >> Rafio. Yes. Shanker. Yes. Grizzly. >> Yes. Under miscellaneous, we have a number of resolutions uh from 379 to 393. Here will entertain a motion to combine 51 00:16:46.880 --> 00:17:03.519 and adopt these. >> Move. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any discussion on those resolutions? Hearing none, please call the role. >> Ratino, >> yes. >> Burns, yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> C Days, >> yes. >> Furn, >> yes. Yes. Parker, 52 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:18.799 >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> Okay. Please um read resolution 394. >> Alternate method contract for professional services with Fox Rothschild LLP for the provision of 53 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:34.080 legal services amount not to exceed $70,000. >> I have spoken we've spoken with our council for the board and he recommends adoption. >> You want to come further? Yes, chairman. If if I may, after receiving 54 00:17:34.080 --> 00:17:51.640 correspondence from the county direction, I had correspondence with council for the prosecutor's office regarding this and the board's concerns. We did receive correspondence in return uh based on that correspondence board may board as appropriate. 55 00:17:52.880 --> 00:18:09.840 Any other discussion? We need a motion, don't we? >> We didn't have a motion. >> Thank you. been moved. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Any further discussion? 56 00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:26.640 >> None. Please call the role. >> Martino, >> yes. >> Burns, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> C Days, >> yes. Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. Please read 395. 57 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:44.799 alternate method contract for for professional services with Laney Weinberg and Curio PC for the provision of legal services amount not to exceed $50,000. >> Second move and seconded the same uh comment. 58 00:18:44.799 --> 00:19:02.160 >> Correct. That's correct. Chairman, yes. >> Recommend adoption. >> Please call the role. >> Bertino, >> yes. >> Burns, yes. Rays, >> yes. C Days >> abstain. >> Karn, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruff, >> abstain. >> Shanker, 59 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:17.120 >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. Want to entertain a motion to combine adopt uh chapter 159's 396 through 405. >> Move. 60 00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:33.440 >> Second. >> Thank you. It's been moved and second. Any discussion on these? Hearing none, please call the role. >> Martino, >> yes. >> Burns, yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> C Days, >> yes. >> Kern, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. 61 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:49.039 >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. Entertain a motion to combine and adopt appointments from resolutions number 406 through 411. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? 62 00:19:49.039 --> 00:20:05.280 As always, we're very grateful for those that give of their time to serve on the various boards and entities of the county. It's very much appreciated. Um, and any other comments? Not please call the role. >> Martino, 63 00:20:05.280 --> 00:20:20.480 >> yes. >> Burns, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> C Days, >> yes. >> Hearn, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. We have a couple of roadway solicitation resolutions uh 412 through 64 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:35.200 414. You please uh we need a a motion to combine adopt these. >> Second. >> Moved in a second to combine adopt ball through 414. 65 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:52.440 Any other commissioner comments? >> None. Please call the role. >> Ratino. Yes. >> Burns. Yes. R. Days. >> Yes. C days, >> yes. >> Kern, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. 66 00:20:52.640 --> 00:21:11.440 >> Okay. Under written communications and petitions, has anyone received anything they would like to share with the board at this time? Any reports of committees of the board? Anyone have any reports they would like to give about any committee? 67 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:28.559 Uh, chairman, >> please. >> I just want to make mention that um about I think it was about a week ago that a number of us toured uh the workforce development and I want to thank them very much. It was extremely uh educational for us uh gave us a lot 68 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:44.880 of knowledge and we've had a lot of uh input from other individuals where we could share much of the information that Fran and his staff were able to uh give us at the time. So, thank you very much Mr. Chairman Rizley, >> please. 69 00:21:44.880 --> 00:22:01.360 >> Um, just a quick report. Uh, we did have a bridges and roads committee meeting this week brought up to speed with all the ongoing projects around Elena County. Um, and the progress report on such uh you guys have received a copy of the bridges report. Yes, we did your 70 00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:21.600 individual emails. Quite >> quite a long list. >> Yes, it is. Got a lot going on. >> Anything else under that topic? Reports. >> Mr. Chairman for Education and Schools, Leeds Avenue. I received a an article in 71 00:22:21.600 --> 00:22:38.880 a report of Leeds Avenue School, Pleasantville. Let's see. Over 600 students at Leeds Elementary School in Pleasantville immersed themselves in Holocaust education. that happened. Uh a teacher who 72 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:55.039 organized it, her young lady's name is Tamara Shaw Owens from Leeds Avenue and the third and fourth grade students during the month of May were immersed in Holocaust education and she received an award. The commissioner of education as well as the NJA president was in 73 00:22:55.039 --> 00:23:12.480 attendance. Want to give that young lady a shout out for her work in Pleasantville Ad. >> Very good. Thank you. Anyone else? I'd just like to add that there will be a committee meeting, a jail committee 74 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:36.600 meeting will be Friday the 31st at 3 pm. Okay. Any uh unfinished business, new business? None. We'll move on. We're into public comment. Anyone 75 00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:55.039 who would like to is attending in person would like to speak, now is your opportunity to speak on any particular topic. Um, if you are attending virtually, would like to make a public comment, please raise your hand. I will call upon your name. A request to unmute 76 00:23:55.039 --> 00:24:12.240 will be sent. Please state your name of the town you reside in. You will be presented three minutes to speak. So at at this time the meeting is open to the public. Yes, please come to the podium please. 77 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:53.039 >> Mayors good to see you. >> All right. Just going to put this paper out of the way. Guys able to hear me? Okay. Yes. Perfect. Uh >> uh my name is Vince Sarah, mayor of city of Brigantine. Thank you for the opportunity to be here today. Um wanted an opportunity to speak about the 78 00:24:53.039 --> 00:25:08.799 Brigintine prominade. uh there seems to be some confusion going on regarding I guess the prominade and I wanted an opportunity today to come here and try to resolve that. I feel like this is turning into something that it doesn't need to be and I know that we wanted to try to get ahead with it. We've spoken 79 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:25.440 with a number of county commissioners about this. >> There's a number of people from Brigantine who wanted to come here and speak tonight rather than having hours of testimony. I asked if I could come here on the behalf and try to speak so we can explain what's going on and move to a resolution. Uh Mr. Chairman, I know 80 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:42.400 that you normally keep people to about three minutes. May I have a little extended time tonight? >> Of course. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. Uh one of the things I want to say is that we have always had a great relationship with Atlantic County. We appreciate everything that you guys do and we want to continue that great relationship. Um, 81 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:58.159 in fact, even on Saturday, uh, I did an video interview with the Brigantine Times and they asked about the prominade. So, I gave an update. Here's where the county's at. Here's the work that the county did. I even thanked the county executive at the end of it for 82 00:25:58.159 --> 00:26:14.000 the outstanding work that is being done. Um, the relationship that we've had has always been very positive. So, you can imagine how taken back we were on Monday when we heard the executive's comments on talk radio. Rather than getting in a 83 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:30.720 back and forth on talk radio, we don't want to do that. I figured it's more constructive to sit down and talk and work. I have tremendous respect for our county executives. I've known him for more than third probably about 30 years now. Um, I have a lot of respect for everything he does, how he runs the 84 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:45.840 county, and I've said this to many of you and I've said it to people in our town and I mean this and I'll say it again publicly. He is one of the best county executives in the state of New Jersey. No one cares more about Atlantic County than he does. He's been a good mentor to me over the years and he's 85 00:26:45.840 --> 00:27:02.400 taught me a lot of lessons, especially about how to run good government. One of the most important lessons I think he ever taught me is when you are dealing with complicated issues or anything major, always put it in writing. Communicate in 86 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:18.159 letters. This way there's no confusion. Everything's exactly written out, exactly said. There's clear timelines so there's no confusion down the road when people come back. And that is really what we do. One of the things that I 87 00:27:18.159 --> 00:27:35.200 want to share with you guys too is the communications. So on talk radio, and I'm just going to touch a couple issues. It was implied by the county executive that the work on the prominade wasn't being completed because Brigantine failed to properly communicate with the county. He also 88 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:50.080 stated that the issue really just kind of came to his attention about one or two weeks ago. What I hold in my hand right now is a number of emails and letters that we have communicated with county administration and with the 89 00:27:50.080 --> 00:28:05.600 county executive dating back to September 29th, 2024. So this is almost 2 years of emails and letters. So I don't understand how we failed to properly communicate that. Um, copies of these correspondents have been shared 90 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:21.679 with uh, commissioners uh, Rizley, Burns, and Dave. Brigantine will share copies of the rest of this with everybody so you can have a clear and accurate record of everything that's going on. Our understanding is that the prominade is county property. The 91 00:28:21.679 --> 00:28:37.200 prominade is county property. It does protect the county road. There's work that needed to be done. So when we recognize there I don't know if you guys know probably in 2022 2023 there was a car accident car hit the rail they did some damage county came in did an 92 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:53.039 outstanding job of fixing that at that time it was noticed by both Brigantine and Atlantic County that there was work that needed to be done out there uh Brigantine found a grant and this was a federal grant for the American Rescue Plan. It was the Boardwalk Preservation 93 00:28:53.039 --> 00:29:09.120 Fund and it was a grant for $1.2 million. We found that grant because we wanted to help the county get this work done. We got the grant. We filled out the paperwork. We got everything ready except Brigantine could not apply for the grant because the prominade is 94 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:25.440 county property. We went to the county executive. We went to county administration. We asked the county to apply for that grant which our county executive gladly did. He's like, "Whatever I can do to help, I'm going to do. We're going to get this done." And the grant went through. I will tell you 95 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:42.559 I don't know 100% what the total cost of the project is. My understanding is we got a grant for 1.2. The project might have come in at about 1.8. I could be wrong on those numbers. That's from conversations. So I know that the county put money behind this. So we're trying to do work to help and we've always had 96 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:59.039 a good partnership all the way through. There's work that needed to be completed by the county and in the county's press release stated February 26, 2024. This was a joint press release between the city of Brigantine and um the county executive and the county and it's still 97 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:15.520 on the county's website if you want to see it. It talks about the work to be completed. It says that the money that comes in is going to be used to repair broken, chipped, or missing sheeting. I'm not sure that all of that work is completed. It's to install code compliant handrails. It's one of the 98 00:30:15.520 --> 00:30:31.200 issues we had questions with that we sent letters with is the way the rails are put together. LED light poles. The lights have not worked since the county put them in. Now, one of the things I've told a lot of people in the community and if you look on social media, it's in 99 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:47.679 writing. I've talked about how the county executive has had the contractor come back several times to try to fix those lights and we're still trying to work through it. So, our understanding is we're working in good faith. ADA compliant access ramps and railings. There's issues with some of the ramps. 100 00:30:47.679 --> 00:31:03.520 I'm going to talk about that in a little bit, but erosion came in, wiped out one ramp completely. A second ramp is going to continue to erode and the third ramp was pulled out of the job. Um, replace missing benches that was on Brigantine. Those are our benches. We've completed 101 00:31:03.520 --> 00:31:19.679 those. And provide additional jetty to deter any further storm damage. This work isn't fully complete. when we recognized there was an issue with the job, um, I actually personally called Commissioner Rich Dates and I said, "Hey, Rich, there's an issue going on 102 00:31:19.679 --> 00:31:36.480 out here. Can you take a look at it and find out what's going on because I don't want the county left holding the bag if you guys close out this project and this work isn't complete?" Rich said he reached out to county administration. He was told by county administration that the work was considered complete and the project was done. 103 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:53.039 >> So, we sent a letter out to the county requesting a walkthrough. I'm gonna come back to that. But it just seemed like there's a miscommunication in our mind is like, look, if you guys come look at this, you're going to clearly see that work's not completed and it needs to be done. Again, we're looking for a 104 00:31:53.039 --> 00:32:10.240 partnership. Or the ramps, the one wooden ramp on the north end, and this is part of the frustration for the people who live there. The wooden ramp on the north end, we were told by the contractor, was pulled out of the job. In the quantities, I think it was 20 ft of ramp. It actually needed 60 ft of ramp. So rather than completing it was 105 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:25.440 pulled out. The ramps left half constructed, half not constructed. Part of it was buried. It's been eroded away. So the county closed. People were upset. They don't understand why if it was a 60-oot job, you just complete a 60-oot job. The other two concrete ramps, as I 106 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:41.600 said, one was destroyed by the first storm. This is something that we actually brought up to the county and I have it in an email in one of the county meetings when the design was being done for the concrete ADA ramps. One of the things we recognize is the county is trying to provide good access. This is 107 00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:56.799 an area of hot spot erosion. It typically erodess. If you put concrete structures on sand and the sand erodess underneath, it's going to fall down. Uh we actually suggested that the county should do a redesign and should probably 108 00:32:56.799 --> 00:33:12.640 keep stairs in that area. That redesign didn't happen. ADA ramps were put out there. First storm that came along took out the first ramp. The second ramp that's further up in the erosion is eroding. It's going to come down. So those three ramps at some point in time 109 00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:30.159 will be unusable. So that note was in September of 2024 that we reached out to the county to express our concerns with the design of that because we were trying to save you guys the headache of what we knew would happen because we live on the beach 110 00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:46.000 every day. The other thing that's come up through this process is the proven agreement between the city and the county. This is a 50-year agreement starting in 1997 and goes until 2047. In the agreement, the county is clearly responsible. And I just I'm not going to 111 00:33:46.000 --> 00:34:06.240 read every document, but I do want to read what the county is responsible for. It's a paragraph. If you can give me a second. The county is clearly responsible. The county shall be responsible for repairing any or all structural damage 112 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:20.800 which may occur due to any reason except for the acts of negligent by the city of Brigintine, its agents or employees and the county will adhere to the specific maintenance requirements which are addressed in the state aid contract for 113 00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:36.560 this project. When it comes to the major repairs for the prominade and upkeep according to this agreement, it's the county's responsibility. When it comes to day-to-day maintenance, sweeping, cleaning, things like that, that falls 114 00:34:36.560 --> 00:34:54.079 on the city. So now when the county is trying to renegotiate the agreement, it appears to us as if now that there's a lot of work that needs to be done, the agreement now clearly states that we're responsible for all this work. I don't 115 00:34:54.079 --> 00:35:10.960 think that's fair. I've sent that in letters. There's been correspondence between county administration, our city manager, myself, and our county executive going back and forth. And I really think the idea of this really wasn't presented well. The way it came across was, hey, 116 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:26.800 there's all this financial burden. You're now stuck with it. It wasn't, hey, we need to take a look and negotiate terms that work for everybody. And sometimes it's in the delivery. We're open to negotiations, but it needs to be a fair negotiations and things 117 00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:43.839 need to be taken into consideration and the prominade itself should be in good working order before this is turned over to us, right? Like you can't say, "Hey, there's repairs and now take it over." So on September 29th, 2025, the 118 00:35:43.839 --> 00:36:00.320 county sent an email to our city manager looking to renegotiate those terms. We've gone back and forth. We've been very clear that we're not going to take on the financial burdens of that. Like it needs to be repaired. It needs to be replaced. It needs to be correct before 119 00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:16.480 we can take that on or even agree to negotiate to take it on. One of the things that was brought up was the county's financial responsibilities to other municipalities. It was said by our county executive that he will take on the responsibility of fixing everything, but it's going to upset all the other 120 00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:33.119 municipalities that he's responsible for. One of the things I want to say that this is really a question of tax fairness. Brigantine sends over $20 million a year to the county and county taxes over a 10-year period. It's $200 million we send to the county. It's 121 00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:49.280 unreasonable to expect the taxpayers of Brigantine to pay that much in county taxes and then expect expect us to take on the maintenance and financial responsibilities of that prominant. You know, like that's what we start to look at too. the amount of money that we send 122 00:36:49.280 --> 00:37:07.200 to the county, some of that money needs to come back to the county for projects like this, for things like this. I know the county repaved our roads. We're very grateful for that, but this is a county property and that's something that we want to discuss and clearly have on the record. Um May 18th, 123 00:37:07.200 --> 00:37:23.839 um on May 18th, we sent a letter to the county saying, "Hey, listen. There's issues with this. Come do a walk through." Our county executive Dennis Levenson saw the letter said absolutely the county should come do a walkthrough. He worked to set that up. Everybody came down and that this was our impression. 124 00:37:23.839 --> 00:37:39.920 Like once you see this you're going to realize this isn't us just giving you a hard time. There's real issues here. County came down um June 11th. So June 11th the walkthrough takes place. Uh the city brantine sent a follow-up letter to memorialize the walkthrough and clearly 125 00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:55.839 state our understanding of what was discussed and reviewed. On June 26th, the city received an email um from the deputy county administrator indicating that the county intended to address the issues, but she made reference to anou that would be sent to the county. Um and 126 00:37:55.839 --> 00:38:10.960 this is something I'm going to come back to because this is something that this is where we have a question and and a concern, right? there's a project, there's work that needs to be done, but we're still dealing with thisou. So, almost seven seven weeks later has gone by and there's no work that has 127 00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:26.720 been completed. So, we know that there's a lot of things going on behind the scenes, but residents are starting to show up to our council meetings. There's multiple social media posts online, like daily, people blasting the county, blasting the county executive. And I've 128 00:38:26.720 --> 00:38:42.160 said to many of the uh commissioners, in my opinion, you guys have done so much work to try to move this forward and get it done. You should take a public position letting people what you letting people know what you've done. No matter how much I talk about what you've 129 00:38:42.160 --> 00:38:57.920 done, until they either see the work completed or they hear directly from you what you've done and what you're up to, they're not going to believe it. And this is where a lot of the anger comes from. And I find this in the absence of information, people assume the worst. And this is 130 00:38:57.920 --> 00:39:12.640 something that we're trying to get all on the same page about. And here's where I want to come back to that point. At the end of the county executive's interview on Monday, he said something along the lines that the work will be completed once Brigantine 131 00:39:12.640 --> 00:39:29.119 accepts and signs theou. It almost seems like it's a condition of fixing the prominade that we have to accept an agreement that we don't agree with and that we think puts a unfair burden. I don't believe that to be the county's 132 00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:45.680 intention. I don't think anybody sitting here intends that, but that is what was said and this is what we want to correct. There's things that need to be fixed. The county is working to address it, but people need to hear from the county what you're doing. It needs to be 133 00:39:45.680 --> 00:40:02.400 clear whether or not um Brigantine is expected to sign thisou before any work is completed and we need a clear path forward. And as I've said, we've always had a positive relationship. Each and every one of you have always been there every time I picked up the phone to talk 134 00:40:02.400 --> 00:40:18.400 to you, to help, to get advice, to get something done. And that's why I said this is growing into something that it doesn't need to be because of the public anger on the absence of the information. So what I'm asking for is an opportunity to get this resolved for the county to 135 00:40:18.400 --> 00:40:32.800 put out a clear statement on what their intentions are. And I guess one of the things I want to know here tonight is is Brigintine expected to sign theou or the agreement that has already been sent to us as a condition of completing this 136 00:40:32.800 --> 00:40:51.280 project? I I want to follow up on my question. Are we expected to sign thisou before the project's completed? And I'll ask it to either the commissioners or to county administration. >> Let's start with county administration first. I'm sure they have some comments to make or engineering. 137 00:40:51.280 --> 00:41:19.839 >> Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. the communication to I the deputy mayor I believe it was um >> yeah it was our deputy mayor Brad >> okay uh was a conversation to you know confirm that we had met and that we were working on 138 00:41:19.839 --> 00:41:37.200 the changes um it did reference anou um however what it would be actually is a first amendment to the agreement that you mentioned Are we expected to sign that as a condition of completing the work that's on the prominant? 139 00:41:37.200 --> 00:41:53.359 >> No. >> Okay. So, the work will be completed and Brigantine will have a fair opportunity to negotiate this >> indirectly. >> I just want to be clear. We'll have a fair opportunity to negotiate this agreement. >> Oh, absolutely. So I mean the discussion 140 00:41:53.359 --> 00:42:10.400 has always been that the county is going to come to the city of Brigantine to you know speak to you once this agreement is in place or first amendment orou or whatever it would be referred to as Yes. >> Okay. Because in the >> draft that was already sent to us, the 141 00:42:10.400 --> 00:42:25.920 original draft that you sent to us, it took most of the maintenance responsibilities of the prominade that the county was responsible for and shifted it 100% it seemed in my reading of it 100% to the to Brigant team, right? >> And that that didn't seem fair or equitable, 142 00:42:25.920 --> 00:42:42.319 >> right? And that and that's you you actually or returned it or refused to sign it, which we understand. We do have these issues that were brought to our attention about completing the project and we are moving forward with that. And in the meantime, this between you know 143 00:42:42.319 --> 00:42:58.319 getting quotes for the work that we needed to complete and getting answers from the manufacturer of the light posts that have been having issues you know it takes time to meet with the departments and and write an amendment and then our 144 00:42:58.319 --> 00:43:14.000 you know our plan obviously is to meet with you. Now, is that something that county administration is able to communicate to the public? Because a lot of people don't know that this is happening and they're getting angrier and angrier every day. People don't see the county taking action and I think 145 00:43:14.000 --> 00:43:28.800 that absence of information is causing a lot of unneeded frustration. >> Yeah, absolutely. I think that we have been in communication with the city. Um, most recently you got an update on um the light posts and the answers that we 146 00:43:28.800 --> 00:43:45.920 had gotten from the manufacturer. Um, I would speak to the chief of staff, the executive to make that determination on how an announcement would be made. >> Sure. >> Publicly. Absolutely. And I'll take your recommendation for sir. >> No, I appreciate that because I think people do want to hear from the county 147 00:43:45.920 --> 00:44:01.200 executive and that's what I've said. so much has been done, but people don't know what's being done. So, they're getting angry and it's turning into something that it doesn't need to be. And we we want to avoid that because I see the hard work going behind the scenes. You know, in government, a lot 148 00:44:01.200 --> 00:44:16.480 of this is negotiations and we take it through the process. But I think when it was presented that it was a condition of work, I think that really took everybody back. So, what I hear you saying tonight that the work will be completed, it's not a condition of completing the work. 149 00:44:16.480 --> 00:44:32.640 and the city and the county will have the opportunity to negotiate an amendment to the agreement that's in place and something that is fair and works for everybody involved. >> Yes. >> All right. Perfect. And then um the other question I have too, and this is probably good for county administration 150 00:44:32.640 --> 00:44:49.280 with the three ramps, one's destroyed and gone, one is going to fail. You get another major storm, it's going to fail, and one's half done. Is that work? Are those Let me start with the two concrete ramps. Will they be restored to stairs? Like is there a plan for that or is it 151 00:44:49.280 --> 00:45:05.200 just to to leave it closed or leave the ramp there until it falls? >> So, um again, I'm uncertain of the street number. Um, I think that the ramp that was built and then was destroyed in 152 00:45:05.200 --> 00:45:22.079 the storm >> uh due to and I'll I'll let you know uh our county engineer answer you know the the detailed questions about that >> but my understanding is with the erosion the continued erosion of the beach >> that that you know will continue to be 153 00:45:22.079 --> 00:45:37.359 an issue >> which is why we had stairs and we had recommended that those ramps in the first place weren't a good fit and And I think in 2024 we had recommended that. I have it in the follow-up email we've sent to the county. But that's why we've always had stairs in those two 154 00:45:37.359 --> 00:45:54.319 locations. The other ramp that is further south is a similar design. That area as you said, but it's it's called hotspot erosion. We go through erosion and we don't put big structures out that way. We use stairs because the stairs can handle the erosion. And there was jetty rock that protected them. And then 155 00:45:54.319 --> 00:46:09.599 on the other side, if you notice, the ramp goes the other way and it's protected by jetty rock. But that ramp's half completed because I guess at one point in time it was buried in sand and now it's not. Is so I guess let me break it up. Is there a possibility to have stairs 156 00:46:09.599 --> 00:46:26.800 replaced where the one ramp is missing? >> Currently that is not included in our plan. >> Okay. And for the other ramp that as erosion continues will fail. What's the plan for that? >> I can't speak to that because I'm not 157 00:46:26.800 --> 00:46:42.960 familiar with that ramp. When we did the walkthrough with the city, we spoke about the um ramp or the stairs, sorry, the ramp that had been damaged by the storm that was removed and the north end ramp, >> the ADA compliant ramp. 158 00:46:42.960 --> 00:46:58.400 >> So, I'm not familiar enough with the ramp that you're speaking of more south. >> It It's something I would suggest if you don't mind if if county engineering can come down, we can have our engineer meet with you. But, it is going to be an issue and this is where we don't want to get stuck. We've had concerns with this. 159 00:46:58.400 --> 00:47:12.400 We brought it to the county. The design went forward and built as is and we don't want to get caught with this because now it seems that the conditions of the new agreement pace places all of those responsibilities on the city and 160 00:47:12.400 --> 00:47:32.079 we don't feel that that is fair or just. >> Do you do you have a comment about that ramp? So, um I wasn't aware that um the ramp I guess it's I think it's 11th Street you're talking about. >> 11th. 161 00:47:32.079 --> 00:47:49.200 >> Yeah. I wasn't aware that one was having issues. >> Nobody brought that to my attention. >> We talked about the 13th Street ramp and we talked about the North End ramp. >> Yeah. >> The 13th Street ramp was the one that washed out. >> It did. And when we re-evaluated it for 162 00:47:49.200 --> 00:48:05.760 removing it at high tide, there was no beach. It was underwater. So there was no way to rebuild anything there because it was underwater. You can't have a access to the water directly to the water. Um the north end that was mostly 163 00:48:05.760 --> 00:48:23.440 buried under sand. We had decided not to do the concrete ramp there because of the issue we had at 13th. At the time it was evaluated the uh structure was in decent shape. It had railings. It was it was actually probably threequarters buried under 164 00:48:23.440 --> 00:48:38.880 sand. >> Um so we felt that that one was okay to stay. Um we were unaware that when it got closed, nobody told us it got it washed away. You know, the sand had washed away and that it got closed until 165 00:48:38.880 --> 00:48:54.720 we until May when we had the meeting in May. Just so you know, my understanding is that that's been exposed for some time. >> Like it's not new that that ramp >> I mean I have >> and I that's what I'm saying. That's why we're on the same >> pictures from last August and it was 166 00:48:54.720 --> 00:49:11.440 still under sand at that point >> and that's when we were that's when we were under construction. >> You know that's when we were >> exposed for a while like part of it but it's >> and we go through replenishments. We're probably about two years out from the next replenishment. So then when the 167 00:49:11.440 --> 00:49:26.400 sand comes, this is why we use the stairs in those areas because the stairs can handle because on low tide people use it. On high tide obviously you're not walking into the water, but once you do the replenishment now people are going to need that beach access. >> So this is why we typically do stairs 168 00:49:26.400 --> 00:49:41.920 and what I'm going to call the two front beaches, >> right? >> You know, and this is why we do the ramp on the other side because this is how it works and we're looking for a way to resolve that because that's one of the things that people are upset about is losing beach access. And I don't know if you realize, people who go to the beach 169 00:49:41.920 --> 00:49:57.680 are very territorial. I was a lifeguard for 19 years. You move the lifeguard stand, they're mad. No, this is where I sit. So realize you have a whole community that this is where I go to the beach. And even though they could probably go a quarter mile in another 170 00:49:57.680 --> 00:50:13.200 direction, they don't want to do that because this is their beach. It's it's their home. Well, as far as the north end ramp, we are working through that with the the contractor >> and uh we're actually have our engineer doing additional design to extend it 171 00:50:13.200 --> 00:50:28.160 since >> currently there's couple foot drop off at the end of that. So, we're working through that part. >> And that's great news. And that's why I said this is I feel like if the county communicated, they don't want to just hear from me because I say it and they 172 00:50:28.160 --> 00:50:43.359 don't believe me. But I think if county administration, county executive, county commissioners are like, "Look, here's where we're at. Here's what we're doing." And and I never want to put a timeline on things because, you know, you put a timeline when things goes wrong, people get mad. But if people knew how hard you were working, if 173 00:50:43.359 --> 00:51:00.400 people knew what we were working towards, there would be a lot less anger. Now, obviously some people are going to be angry. This is their summer. They wanted it done before summer. The expectation is is like, look, I think we first talked about this in in March and here we are almost August. 174 00:51:00.400 --> 00:51:16.400 So, that's where I think a lot of the frustration's coming from. And people don't understand those timelines. Like, if you knew about this in March and on me, why isn't it fixed by Memorial Day weekend? And honestly, we're at the point now where it's probably not going to get fixed till after Labor Day, 175 00:51:16.400 --> 00:51:31.440 right? If you're just in engineering, just in design, I don't know if you have to bid it. And that's government moves slow. I tell people all the time, government is slow. It's not a criticism, but people who don't live this every day don't understand this. And this is why communication is so important. And it's why I'm here today 176 00:51:31.440 --> 00:51:48.240 to communicate. You know, I need an opportunity where I can be with county administration, county commissioners. Let's all get on the same page. Let's talk. We have people from the public here who are here so they understand that this isn't a fight. This isn't a battle. This is governments working together as we've always done to try to 177 00:51:48.240 --> 00:52:03.359 solve problems. >> And that's really what we're trying to get at. And one of the things I really try to do is not go on talk radio. It doesn't help. Conversations with good people who want to get things done. That's what makes the difference because 178 00:52:03.359 --> 00:52:18.880 at the end of the day, we're all here to represent the people and that is the expectation of of everyone who's sitting here. So, I appreciate knowing that the work will get completed and we not being forced to sign theou. 179 00:52:18.880 --> 00:52:34.319 I understand we're going to sit down and negotiate thisou and my what I hear today is that the north end ramp you guys are in design looking to go out to construction. I'm going to leave the ramp that's gone maybe under evaluation. Maybe there's something we can talk 180 00:52:34.319 --> 00:52:50.319 about and work at, but I would like the county to look at the other south end ramp because I do think that that could end up in the same situation depending on the timeline of our um next replenishment. But that will always be an area of vulnerability depending on 181 00:52:50.319 --> 00:53:06.000 the storms that come through. And we understand that the county can't be everywhere. And that's why us as local government try to work together because we live this every day and we want to share with you guys what we know so we can work to get things done for everybody. All right. So I want to thank 182 00:53:06.000 --> 00:53:21.520 everybody for their time today. Commissioners, I thank you for the extended time today to come talk and work this out because this is what we do. Good government talks, works things out and moves together in a positive way. So thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Chairman. Mr. Can I >> Yeah. 183 00:53:21.520 --> 00:53:37.359 >> Can I address Mayor? Yes. >> So, I just want to make sure I'm understanding this. You got problems with the ramps, got problems with lighting. Any other issues out there? Has the contractor done >> his job? 184 00:53:37.359 --> 00:53:53.520 >> So, there are a number of issues. I can share with you the letter. I didn't know if everybody wanted me to read the laundry list, but the number one issue I'm going to tell you is the lights. Number two issue is the beach access. There's issues with the the railings, and I can get that to you. and where the 185 00:53:53.520 --> 00:54:10.800 railings um there's like a I don't know what to call it, but like a composite board that runs under the railings. When the contractor put in the new railings, they didn't line up with the old holes. So, all the old holes are left there. So, you see all these holes that are in place >> and there's other maintenance issues 186 00:54:10.800 --> 00:54:26.400 that are there. Um we will share Brigintine will share with you all of the correspondence that have gone back and forth >> in the city's letter, especially the one from May 18th. I think that it lays out the specific issues that are of concern and it goes into a little bit more detail. >> So, you would call these punch list 187 00:54:26.400 --> 00:54:42.559 items. >> I mean, you're more of a contractor than I am. >> I would call them Yeah. things that need to get taken care of. >> And that one ramp that I mentioned on the very south end, >> I think that we get a major storm, that ramp's going to get wiped out like the other one. And this is why our 188 00:54:42.559 --> 00:54:58.880 recommendation that it needs to be on pilings needs to be reinforced or honestly probably stairs might be a better choice, but that's more of an engineering thing. So I know enough to get myself in trouble. >> I'm I'm what I'm driving at is the contractor's responsibility and and to be honest with you, are they still have 189 00:54:58.880 --> 00:55:15.040 they is this job been closed out? >> Okay. So they're still on the hook >> because when you said something about you're reaching out to the manufacturer, are we reaching out to the manufacturer or is the contractor? >> The contractor. Okay. All right. That I did when you said it that way. I >> mean, we're involved in the talks. 190 00:55:15.040 --> 00:55:31.280 >> I understand. So, we think it's a manufacturer's defect and they're trying to work their way through it. All right. Do you feel as though the contractor is being diligent? >> Yeah, I think there was a lot of talks. It's been back and forth with the >> the um manufacturer. The manufacturer is 191 00:55:31.280 --> 00:55:48.880 not local. I think they're one of the representatives is in North Carolina. >> I'm going to North Carolina next week for my company. I bet you it only takes me one airplane ride to get there. So, they can come back up here anytime they want to take a look at this. Sometimes, 192 00:55:48.880 --> 00:56:05.200 uh, the contractors got to push a little harder to get this done. >> So, that's where I'm in through all this and what I'm hearing. Okay, we got design issues. Mother Nature doesn't like anything >> and mother nature will call the shots here. But when it comes to a project 193 00:56:05.200 --> 00:56:21.760 that's not done properly or finished properly, that's a whole different ballgame here. So, I I'm glad to hear that this is not closed out and they're still on the hook for this. Um, and I I hope that we're pushing them to get this done as quickly as possible. 194 00:56:21.760 --> 00:56:38.240 That's all. Thank you, >> Sure. Thank you, >> Mr. Chairman. If there's no other questions, >> chair. Yeah. U Mayor Sarah, May 12th was the the one email and I was told that was pretty much substantially completed. There were still a few punch list items to to address. May 20th on the road and 195 00:56:38.240 --> 00:56:53.520 Bridges agenda, it was the same response. There's still a few punch list items to address. Um I emailed September 9th, the county administrator, um here's my email. Since Hurricane Aaron, one set of steps is damaged and the other has not touched the sand. 196 00:56:53.520 --> 00:57:08.640 Let's not touch the eroded sand. Has an insurance claim been fixed, excuse me, been filed and are the steps going to be addressed? Um, I got a response back, couple of responses in October. I was told that the claim was filed, submitted to Vanguard Insurance, and they were 197 00:57:08.640 --> 00:57:24.640 going to put considering steps instead of a ramp. That was September October 2025. May 2026 was the email told sold a few punch list items. One month later was the walkthrough. Six weeks later, still 198 00:57:24.640 --> 00:57:38.880 a few punch list items. I'm just concerned as as >> Yeah, I agree. >> Commissioner Shanker said about the the time frame and the apparent >> the delay, right? And what was and I you know, I hope it's not the case, but what you alluded to was that the city did not 199 00:57:38.880 --> 00:57:55.440 sign the new MLOU. All I'm concerned about is that it's been at least three months. Well, not even it's now that was May. So, it's the end of July. August and we're still talking about the punch list items that need to be completed. I get the the lighting, the fixtures, there's a gasket. I was reading all the emails 200 00:57:55.440 --> 00:58:10.240 apparently, but there are other items, the handrail, other things that have not been completed. So, just concerned about the timeline. It's taking way too long. >> From what I understand, there's also some public safety issues as far as the decking and the handrail and stuff like 201 00:58:10.240 --> 00:58:26.000 that. That goes into a whole another >> whole another world because it's open. >> That's what some of the residents here want to talk about is the north end ramp. Yeah. >> So if it's open, it's deemed complete. That's my point. >> You don't you don't do work on something that type of structure and allow people 202 00:58:26.000 --> 00:58:42.079 on it when it's not done. >> Right. So the ramp So that's a risk. >> Yeah. You have the prominade, the ramp itself, there's a board that says, I don't know, do not enter or something. People just climb over, people go. And I know some of the residents here, they look at it every day. And I think they're very concerned that someone 203 00:58:42.079 --> 00:58:58.240 could get hurt out there >> because there's a sign there. I'll let the lawyers handle that. >> I I know. I'm just telling you. >> And that is and I think you know that that is one of the issues is we want to make sure that it's done properly and that if it's open >> I've seen some pictures of it and I'm 204 00:58:58.240 --> 00:59:14.480 going to go out there but I've seen some separations some severe separations in the boards and stuff like that. And that's we own that. That's our concern, too. And I wasn't going to get into I think there's other maintenance concerns, >> but there are other maintenance concerns out there that need to be addressed, but 205 00:59:14.480 --> 00:59:30.400 that's probably a better discussion for another day, >> but there are some other maintenance issues that need to be addressed. Thank you. I know that uh Commissioner Days kind of brought up too and that was our question about I know an insurance claim was put in for the ramp that failed, but then is that insurance money and that's 206 00:59:30.400 --> 00:59:45.760 not something you have to answer tonight, but I don't know if anything was received claim put back into it, but you know that's I guess a question that city council had as well as well as the community. So people are curious about the insurance >> chairman if I may. 207 00:59:45.760 --> 01:00:02.480 >> Yes. So, an insurance claim was filed, but we did not receive any insurance money for that claim. What we did was we ended up paying from the grant the cost to remove the old structure that was damaged from the 208 01:00:02.480 --> 01:00:19.040 sort. So, we did not receive any uh insurance money for that. >> That's good enough. Thank you. >> Yeah, that should clear up some comments. >> Oh, absolutely. Because I I hear it all the time. Chairman, >> yes. >> I just have a quick question. So, you 209 01:00:19.040 --> 01:00:35.280 mentioned a number of items that have been on a punch list for, you know, some time now. My question is, can we get some type of a timetable? I don't know what we're, you know, to put out there so you're aware. >> Yeah. >> Of you know, it seems to me there should 210 01:00:35.280 --> 01:00:52.240 be some type of a timetable >> or something that's been on a punch list. What are you saying? For like a year. >> No, since May. >> May. Okay. I'm sorry. I I misunderstood. I was thinking of the September date. But still, it it's still quite a bit of time for something to just be in my 211 01:00:52.240 --> 01:01:07.839 eyes. I'm not a contractor. I'm not in construction, but I would think that the contractor would should be able to give us some type of a timeline. Is that possible? So, as far as I know, the punch list items that you're referring to in my 212 01:01:07.839 --> 01:01:25.119 first meeting with the city in on June 11th, I think was the date that was used. >> That was when we were identified, they identified a couple of items, some that were more priority, some that, you know, just didn't look nice. >> So, the holes in the planking uh from 213 01:01:25.119 --> 01:01:41.440 the old rails, you know, we do have a price for that to get fixed. Um, so you know, we again we're noted that, but that's not a safety concern. It's just how it looks and we, you know, they pointed it out and they're very fair that, yeah, the holes should be taken 214 01:01:41.440 --> 01:01:56.880 care of and we're going to be doing that. Um, there was also an item about a railing and how it stuck out with the on ramps from the city uh from the street to the prominade. And we are also addressing those. They had asked if we 215 01:01:56.880 --> 01:02:14.000 could round those edges because they were concerned that residents might walk into them uh the way they were and it really looks like they protrude very, you know, long into the boardwalk, but in fact, you know, they're they're up to code. Um but we did say that we would 216 01:02:14.000 --> 01:02:29.200 get a price and we would do we would make those changes. Uh and then the stairs or ramp from the 13th street. Um we did talk about that as you know. And then we also have a price and you heard 217 01:02:29.200 --> 01:02:45.520 Doug say that we're in design for the north uh the north end ramp for a beach access. So that timeline Doug, do you have a timeline for the design? >> I do not. 218 01:02:45.520 --> 01:03:00.000 >> Okay. >> I would have I know the project manager is currently on vacation, so we have to reach out to him next week. >> But we will we'll work on a timeline. We will I will take under consideration the recommendation for communication from 219 01:03:00.000 --> 01:03:17.200 the county and we will work on getting that information out. We have done a lot of positive things for the prominade and for Brigantine and it does I was out there and actually I I thought that the you know the prominade and the railings and the lighting if it worked were all 220 01:03:17.200 --> 01:03:33.680 beautiful and we've had some compliments from residents that have said that the the light poles there are you know very nice. the the um manufacturer has mailed the gaskets to the contractor so they are they are on way so I'm hopeful and 221 01:03:33.680 --> 01:03:51.280 then I think um the contractor also wanted to come and do on site uh just to make sure everything else was working properly but those are also voted to be you know taken care of shortly line everybody up thanks thanks 222 01:03:51.280 --> 01:04:08.480 >> any other commission comments Yes, just a qu a related question. >> Oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> Um, north north of the end of the of the uh board war who has that responsibility for protecting the dunes is is it 223 01:04:08.480 --> 01:04:24.720 brigantid sole responsibility? >> Want me to jump in? >> I'll help you out. I'm a guy. >> Yeah. So, the county rightaway I believe ends at the end of the prominade. When you go north of that, part of that is Brigintine's responsibility, part of 224 01:04:24.720 --> 01:04:39.920 that is the state, but it's all overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers and D. So any changes, anything that needs to be done out there, we have to get their permission, their blessing to work with, and then that's how we do it. And there's a whole another project I could tell you about, but I don't want to bore 225 01:04:39.920 --> 01:04:56.799 these guys. >> I just want to know who's responsible for that. So that would fall under the army corps uh the state and briganteen in partnership or stewards together of that of that dune property. >> Okay. Really only one person can be 226 01:04:56.799 --> 01:05:12.319 responsible. >> You would think that crime doesn't doesn't work very well. >> That's how government works. They force us to work together. >> Commissioners, thank you so much. County administration, thank you so much. Uh we look to moving forward on all this and I appreciate all the questions and help 227 01:05:12.319 --> 01:05:43.200 that you guys have always provided. Thank you. Thanks. >> Yes, sir. Paul, >> good evening. Um, my name is Paul Lati. I'm the second w councilman, city of Brigantine and the prominade is within my district. So, I feel a lot of the 228 01:05:43.200 --> 01:05:58.799 questions, a lot of the emails constantly coming to me. When's this happening? When's that happening? Um, a lot of the homeowners who rent their homes are losing the rentals because the people are bulking and saying, "Wait a minute. You can't there's no beach. You can't get down onto the beach. There's 229 01:05:58.799 --> 01:06:15.520 no I have a handicapped mother with me. I was expecting there was going to be a ramp there. Now, I can't get there." And let me just give you a little bit of the human side of of the prominade. Um, they already talked about the un unfinished handicap access ramps, the 230 01:06:15.520 --> 01:06:32.240 interoperative right lighting, the dangerous railing endings that stick jut into the thing. You could walk into them, especially if you're carrying a something or a small child, god forbid they bump it and drop the child. I mean, these things can all happen and we see it every day. 231 01:06:32.240 --> 01:06:48.799 Uh, you got to understand the use of the prominade. The prominade is basically used by the elderly, the infirmed, handicapped wheelchair people who can't make it to the beach. So, their only sight of the ocean is to be able to roll 232 01:06:48.799 --> 01:07:04.720 their wheelchair up there and sit there for however long they would like to sit. Okay? And these people are being denied because they don't have access. And I don't think it's fair. This has been going on for such a long time. Uh 233 01:07:04.720 --> 01:07:21.280 the other thing is families with small children. Children running up there barefoot. Those holes that we talked about, they were about that big where the old posts were. A child could go up there and stick his foot in the hole, break a foot, lose a foot. I mean, this is all stuff that we're looking at and 234 01:07:21.280 --> 01:07:40.400 saying, who's going to be responsible for this if somebody gets hurt? It's made worse by the lack of working lights. We had perfectly good lights there. They were beautiful. Stained glass tops with sailing ships and gas 235 01:07:40.400 --> 01:07:55.920 light type design and they worked perfectly. Was never a problem. These lights, the minute they turned them on, they blinked like strobe lights. And that went on for a couple nights till people said, "Please do something about these lights. This is ridiculous." So they disconnected them completely. So 236 01:07:55.920 --> 01:08:14.640 now we have no lighting. So now you're up there at night with all these treacherous things and you're walking in the dark. The other thing is I'm fielding complaints from homeowners and landlords alike with disgruntled uh people saying 237 01:08:14.640 --> 01:08:31.520 why is it taking so long to complete. You know, they started a year ago or better and we're still no better off than we were six months ago. And I was there when you came out on the 11th and we looked at everything together and you agreed with us that there was issues 238 01:08:31.520 --> 01:08:46.480 that there definitely were some safety issues. And just on Sunday alone, I was sitting up there with my nephew and I'm watching people the ramp that we're talking about that goes down and then ends. All they did was put a board 239 01:08:46.480 --> 01:09:01.920 across it to stop you from going down and there's a ace hardware sign that says keep off. Okay. I see people lifting beach carts with infants in them over the top of the thing and setting them down and they're going like, "Oh, 240 01:09:01.920 --> 01:09:17.359 you help me, I'll help you." You know, "Help me get my family across." And this is what goes on day in and day out. And more so now that we're into the summer months. >> So, we're really here tonight. We need your help. We need to put some pressure 241 01:09:17.359 --> 01:09:36.560 where pressure is due. >> Understood. I hope you had no plans on coming and visiting your prominade in your present condition. >> We'll make sure you can get up there though. >> Okay. >> Thank you so much for your time and please whatever you can do, we we would 242 01:09:36.560 --> 01:10:02.080 certainly appreciate >> Mrs. Kerson. How are you? I'm Lynn Kerson from Absecin and I chair the ABCSEN 911 committee and you all the next to last resolution allowed us to 243 01:10:02.080 --> 01:10:19.600 have a coin drop the beginning of August. I'm sure you all know this is the 25th anniversary of 911. We will be inviting all of you to both of our ceremonies. As you know, we do one at 9:30 for the 244 01:10:19.600 --> 01:10:35.520 eighth graders and anybody else who wants to come because those eighth graders have no idea of what happened. In fact, one little fella after last year's ceremony said, "Gee, I ride my bike past this memorial 245 01:10:35.520 --> 01:10:52.719 all the time. I had no idea what it was all about." So, I do want to thank you for the coin drop. We are going to have a 25th celebration like you wouldn't believe. Honor guard, uh, 246 01:10:52.719 --> 01:11:10.000 rifle salute, taps, riders. It's going to be great. I also would like to know who I need to contact to use the county cones that are in a storage bin behind our American Legion. 247 01:11:10.000 --> 01:11:24.719 >> You okay? >> Absolutely. >> Oh, absolutely. Thank you. >> Also, the uh committee wanted me to bring you a thank you. We have made 25 anniversary stickers. 248 01:11:24.719 --> 01:11:41.040 They show the two towers like our memorial. And Mr. Chair, if I may give a map, I'd like everyone to have one. They're not decals. They're stickers. >> So on a notebook or window, whatever you want to do. But I do thank you all and I 249 01:11:41.040 --> 01:11:58.880 hope to see you all at least one of the ceremonies that I'm seeking. Thank you so much. >> Thank you for all your hard work on that project. I'd just like to say and I don't want to speak for all of us here but I think all of us on this 250 01:11:58.880 --> 01:12:17.040 >> down board want to see these punch list items done as quickly as possible. We want to see it done. We must say completed. We know about safety issues. We know about lawsuits. God, we know about that lawsuits and safety and of 251 01:12:17.040 --> 01:12:35.880 course the seasonal uh economics of Brigantine. We want to do all we can to get this thing fixed and >> be right by Brriantine. So, please >> take that for what it's worth. I think as a whole, we we agree on that. 252 01:12:36.239 --> 01:12:59.600 Anyone else like to speak on any topic? >> Hi, my name is Lori Goldsmith. The seaw wall ends in my driveway. >> Okay. So, with the ramp at the north end um being closed off where people have a harder time getting over, they resort to 253 01:12:59.600 --> 01:13:15.040 walking through my driveway and climbing up onto my well, it's not landscaped really nice, but onto my bricks that I have there over the seaw wall and onto the beach. And my point is going to be if anything is closed up, people are 254 01:13:15.040 --> 01:13:30.480 going to find a way. I today I told a couple people that I was coming and they sent me videos from up at the next entrance onto the beach and I was absolutely horrified. I thought what I was seeing where at my house was bad 255 01:13:30.480 --> 01:13:47.440 there. They're climbing on the rocks on the like the dunes there. not the dunes, but along the seaw wall and climbing up the boards and then over the railing on only one slip and they are going down onto the rocks and hitting their head. 256 01:13:47.440 --> 01:14:02.719 So, I urge you to please get this punch list done. Get some beach access for us. I think the easiest one is the ramp at the end, the north end to get that open. So, at least, you know, two blocks people can come and get onto the beach 257 01:14:02.719 --> 01:14:18.560 and walk up that way cuz we are territorial. You want to go in front of your house. You don't want to walk down after you live here. So, that's my main thing. And the other thing I'll say is the storm was August 21st of last year 258 01:14:18.560 --> 01:14:35.280 that wiped that that entrance out. So, we're almost a whole year and it feel it feels to us like it's just a couple boards and some sand. I know it's more for the engineers and everything, but it feels like a couple boards and some sand 259 01:14:35.280 --> 01:14:50.159 to let us get back on the beach without getting hurt. So, thank you for all your all everything you do and hopefully I see you all out there checking it out soon. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else like to speak out? 260 01:14:50.159 --> 01:15:06.560 Thank everybody. I really wasn't planning on saying anything today, but um as far as the north end ramp where Lori lives and a lot of people are going down and going over there. Um, we know it's not going to be fixed 261 01:15:06.560 --> 01:15:24.000 this year, replaced with the new plan, but I believe it's in good enough shape that there could be a temporary fix to open that up because you have the um disabled people can get down that ramp to that beach. Uh, it's also a dog beach 262 01:15:24.000 --> 01:15:43.640 and it's a very popular beach. So, I'm asking for maybe a temporary fix that we can open that up for the rest of the season if possible. That's all I got. Thank you. Anyone else like to speak? 263 01:15:43.760 --> 01:15:59.520 Not I'll entertain a motion to close the public portion meeting. >> So move. >> Second. >> Move and second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. We're at the part of the agenda for the 264 01:15:59.520 --> 01:16:16.320 good of the order. Does anyone have any items for the good of the order? >> Mr. Chair, I missed my opportunity in new business, so I'm going to ask for it now. Can we get a report from the COB building elevators from administration? Yeah, the elevator will be the one 265 01:16:16.320 --> 01:16:32.800 elevator that the engine or the motor rail function is being repaired and that will be in place by Friday. The other uh elevator which we when we got the new 266 01:16:32.800 --> 01:16:49.840 motor, we were anticipating we held off on replacing this the other elevator until we got the new motor. So we got the new motor, everything went in place and the motor malfunctioned for a week and the new elevator will be done within the next two to three weeks. So by 267 01:16:49.840 --> 01:17:08.640 Thursday or Friday or by prior or Saturday, the one elevator will be uh in place and the next two to three weeks the other elevator will be in place. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else under the good of the order? >> Not entertain a motion to adjurnn. So 268 01:17:08.640 --> 01:17:18.600 move >> second. >> All in favor say I. >> Oppos. Motion carries. We are adjourned. >> Thank you.