Adequate notice of this meeting of the mayor and council was sent to the Asbury Park Press and the co-star our official newspapers on December 11th 2024 and notice of this meeting was posted on the bulletin board of the misuling. Take roof councilman Donovan here
>> here. >> Councilman Randero >> here. Councilman Levis and Councilwoman Kenny are absent. I'll >> please stand for the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one nation
indivisible and justice for all. >> Please remain standing for a moment of silence for our troops, their families, first responders. Thank you. I think before we sit down, we have a
special resolution here tonight honoring our chief, Chief Scott, and we would like to uh come down and present it to you. Okay. I think I can talk loud enough.
>> Yes, I believe that my eighth grade science class. >> Honoring Police Chief Tina Scott. Whereas police chief Tina Scott was selected to receive the outstanding woman in government award from the New Jersey League of Municipalities Women in
Municipal Government Committee on November 19th, 2025. And whereas Chief Scott began her distinguished career with the Burrow of Belmore Police Department in 2001 when she was appointed as a police officer. And whereas through dedication,
professionalism, and exemplary service to the community, Chief Scott steadily advanced through the ranks of the Delmare Police Department. And whereas in 2020, Chief Scott was appointed as police chief of the Burrow of Delmare, becoming a leader and role model for law
enforcement professionals throughout the state. And whereas Chief Scott's leadership has been marked by her commitment to community policing, public safety, and the professional development of officers under her command. And whereas the outstanding woman in
government award recognizes exceptional women leaders who have made significant contributions to municipal government and their communities. And whereas Chief Scott recognition by the New Jersey League of Municipality reflects not only her personal achievements but also
brings honor to the Burough of Belmar and its residents. And now therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and council of the Burough of Belmore hereby wish to recognize and celebrate Chief Scott outstanding accomplishments and express their gratitude for her continued
service to the B of Belmore. Why don't you hold that and the photo op here? >> Thank you. Thank you. I just want to thank the mayor council, um the administration of Belmar, uh my police, not my police department, the Belmar
Police Department, um the the fire department, the EMS, and of course the uh the residents of the town. Um I've been here since I was 18 years old. So, um this has been my life and uh I thoroughly enjoy it. Um and it's all of
you that helped me get this award. So, thank you very much. THANK YOU. OKAY, MOVING RIGHT ALONG. We're going into workshop discussion. And tonight we're going to have a a recap of uh and
an update of our affordable housing um I would say affordable housing group round three and round four uh things that we've been doing. So I'm going to invite are we ready to roll with that? >> I just have to connect with April on
getting okay. We have here um Francine McManam who is our one of our um redevelopment attorney who's been working very hard to get us through this process and um I'm happy to say that the third round process is is just about
completed. Um we are we have a few resolutions on tonight that are um actually uh required for us to to complete that process. Um, I'm just looking here. We have the uh uh 25
2025-210 which is uh adopting an affirmative fair housing marketing plan. And then 211 is approving an affordable housing spending plan.
And for uh I think our our fourth round, we have a resolution uh referring a proposed amendment to the seapport redevelopment plan to the to the planning board. So we have a few things
on tonight that that pertain to this. So um I'm going to turn it over to Francine and she'll give us an update on that. I love you. Oh, that's just
on here. that it is, I believe, the last one on the agenda, resolution opposing bill S4736. Um, thought I would bring it up. Let's put my notes up here. Um, this is a bill that's put forward by state senator Troy
Singleton, which would allow nonprofit and religious organizations to convert buildings they own into residential units with affordables and bypass local planning boards as well as zoning and environmental regulations. Um, so we have that up there opposing that bill.
Um, we all agree that affordable housing is a problem in New Jersey, but this is not a good way to address it. Um, state regulations already allow builders to bypass zoning, ignore environmental impacts and strains on infrastructure, and um, we would like to see things that
address these issues rather than create more loopholes. >> Yes. I I decided to >> I just Thank you. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Good evening. Francancy McMadam, McManam, Scotland and
Bowman. We serve as redevelopment and affordable housing council for the burough. So, as the mayor said, I'm here tonight to provide an update on what's been going on with the affordable housing process for both rounds three and rounds four for the bureau. So, starting with round three, go to the
next slide. Uh, a compliance hearing was held on October 17th, 2025. And following the compliance hearing, the court issued an order granting conditional third round judgment of compliance and repose subject to the following conditions. The mayor
referenced some of them already. That the bureau adopt a spending plan for the burough's affordable housing trust fund. That's on this evening's agenda. That the bureau adopt an affir affirmative marketing plan, which is also on this evening's agenda. And that the bureau adopt the amendment to the Seapport
redevelopment plan for a redevelopment project on 7th Avenue. The third round ended on June 30th, 2025. to the fourth round. So these are some key dates so far that have occurred in the fourth round. January 28th, 2025,
the bureau adopted a resolution which adopted the DCAS or the Department of Community Affairs calculation of the bureau's fourth round present need which is rehabilitation and prospective need new construction subject to a vacant land adjustment. So those DCA numbers
were zero present need which is zero rehabilitation obligation and a prospect of need or new construction need of 43 units. Again that's subject to a vacant land adjustment which was is similar to what the bureau did for the third round.
On June 16th the bureau adopted the fourth round housing element and fair share plan after it was already reviewed by the planning board. The planning board adopted it and then it came to council and council approved it as well. On a in August of 2025, three challenges were filed to the burough's housing
element fair share plan. A challenge was filed from fair share housing center. A challenge was filed from a redeveloper um named 1014th Avenue LLC and from 7th Avenue Associates. the 7th Avenue Associates uh uh challenge was withdrawn
in connection with the consent order or the compliance order that was issued in the third round. >> I'm just going to interrupt you for a second just to let people know the fourth round plan has different rules than the third round. They they changed that and the the a lot of the dates were
very expedited. So, for example, the the challenges to the burough's uh plan had to be done by I think it was August 31st, correct? And uh and the uh the the fact that we adopted our plan on June
16th, 2025, again, there was a deadline for us to do that. So, the whole idea when the legislature changed the the rules was to keep keep the fourth round moving. So that's why we have um you know some of these dates are are
significant uh in terms of what the what the um the law is asking us to do. I just wanted to point that out. >> Absolutely. Thank you Mary. Yeah. All of these dates are in accordance with the fair housing act the amended fair housing act which by uh June 30 excuse
me by January 30th the municipalities had to adopt the DCA numbers. By June 30th municipalities had to adopt the housing element and fair share plan. By August 30th, all the challenges had to be filed. By December 31st, municipalities are required to commit to
revising the housing element and fair share plan to address the challenges or to explain why they're not revising their housing element and fair share share plan in response to the challenges. So, as the mayor said, this is a extremely expedited timetable, much
different than what has been experienced in prior rounds. By March 15, 2026, the municipalities are required to amend their housing element and fair share plans and adopt resolutions and ordinances that are required by that housing element and fair share plan. So basically by March
15th, all municipalities have to take the action they say they're going to do in their housing element and fair share plans. Now deeping d uh digging in a little deeper into the challenges that were filed. As I mentioned, Fair Share Housing Center filed a challenge to the
burough's fourth round plan. This these are the key points in that challenge. First, Fair Share Housing Center was seeking to terminate the burrow's fourth round immunity, which would have exposed the bureau to builder's remedy lawsuits, which were extensively discussed uh in
the third round presentations. We can review that again if anyone has any questions. that was subsequently withdrawn again following the compliance order that was issued after the compliance hearing for the third round. Fair share housing also disputes the vacant land adjustment and the realistic
development potential calculation that were included in the bureau's housing element and fair share plan. So, as I mentioned, even though the burrow adopted a resolution accepting DCA's number of 43, it was subject to a vacant land adjustment. And similarly to what
was done for the third round, uh the burough planner took uh a vacant land adjustment which calculates the vacant land within the burrow and um within that calculation uh makes an estimate as to how much land is actually available for development and generates the
realistic development potential calculation calculation or RDP. There's also a requirement to address the unmet the bureau's unmet need obligation. The way unmet need is calculated is the original number that
DCA calculated minus the realistic development potential number and that's how the bureau gets its unmet need. And as the mayor mentioned, there are a lot of new provisions for the fourth round. One of those requirements is that the bureau is required to demonstrate in its housing element and fair share plan how
it's going to meet 25% of that unmet need. And again, I'm going to I think I'm correct in saying that fair share housing center objected to every plan >> that was that were throughout the state. So this is not a unique thing for
Belmore. They just across the board objected to all of them. >> They objected to I think some somewhere in the neighborhood of like 463 plans throughout the state of New Jersey. Yes. >> Can you in plain language explain what they were disputing about the vacant land adjustment? >> We are still uh in settlement
negotiations with them. We still what's what's happened so far in the fourth round is we've had two case management conferences and now we're moving to a session. So they are saying that the bureau and this this is this is in public documents. What I'm not going to go into tonight is sort of the substance
of the settlement negotiations or what's going to be discussed in the session because obviously that's ongoing litigation. These are public documents and what the bureau uh what fair share housing both the challenges from fair share housing and the other developers to developers to the realistic to the calculation of the VA and the realistic
development potential are that the bureau just relied on the calculation from the third round and they didn't do any new analysis which ignores the analysis that was include included in the housing element and fair share plan. So the burough planner did do a new
analysis and updated analysis. Yes, it hasn't changed much from the third round because the bureau just adopted its third round housing element fair share plan within the past couple months. So, there's not a significant difference between the third round vacant land adjustment and the fourth round vacant land adjustment, but the burough planner
did do a new vacant land adjustment which was not referenced or acknowledged at all in the challenges. They did not submit necessarily a number that they were looking for, if that's what you're asking. They were not looking for a specific calculation or this should be the burough's number.
They were just saying you didn't do what you were supposed to do as far as completing a new vacant land adjustment. >> But more just is there basic allegation that Belmar has unused land out there that we are not claiming that we could
be building on? Uh again, that's they really haven't presented that yet in the session, but I anticipate when once the argument we haven't had an opportunity to actually have oral argument in front of a program judge, but once that once we have that, that's likely going to be their argument. Yes.
>> I'm going to make a point on this next slide if you don't. this 1014th Avenue LLC. This is the property that contains the restaurant La Dolce Gita. And the 1044th Avenue LLC is
basically the main principle in that is Nick Fusili. And I I want to get that out there because I want people to understand that this is the corner of Fourth Avenue and Ocean Avenue, almost half of Fourth Avenue between Fifth
Avenue. Okay. Thank you, mayor. So, yes, the other challenge to that Burough's housing element fair share plan is from a developer known as 1014 Fourth Avenue LLC. As the mayor referenced, this site is on the corner of Fourth and Ocean.
The burrow first received a plan regarding this project in February of 2025. That original project that was submitted to the bureau was not what's called an inclusionary project. That project uh provided for a fivestory building with
the market rate units located on the Ocean Avenue site and with first with the first floor parking garage. All of the affordable units were going to be located these seven affordable units were going to be located offsite
at 101 10710th Avenue in a four-story building. So pulling out the affordable units and then putting them on a different location is not permitted under the affordable housing regulations. So the bureau did not include it in its housing element and fair share plan for two reasons. First of all, it's a vibrant commercial
property as the mayor mentioned. That's the location of Lulchce Vita restaurant. So there's no reason to include it in a vacant land adjustment or analysis. And also that the project was not an inclusionary project. It did not meet the definition of an inclusionary project. It did not include uh
affordable housing units with market rate units on the same site. When the developer filed its challenge on August 29th, 2025, the developer revised the project. It was the first time the bureau had seen the revised project. And
at that point, the project did include um third all of the affordables and market rates at one location, that location of fourth and ocean. The proposed project is for 30 units with six affordable units. Um,
a fourstory building with the first floor being a parking garage. So, a parking garage that would front ocean and fourth. Go to the next slide. This is just an aerial view of that site.
The next slide is the um renderings that the bureau received in connection with the February 2025 project. The burough has not received any renderings or was not included. And this is what's in this these are um project descriptions and uh
and drawings that were included in the challenge that was submitted to the program challenging the housing element fair share plan. So this is the February 2025 project. These are the renderings. You can see that it's a five-story building that includes first floor
parking garage. Move to the next slide. This is just the parking layout for the first floor. And then the next slide is the floor plan for the February 2025 project. Now moving to the next slide. This is
the uh amended project that was included in the challenge that that was submitted in August. So you can see even though the burough doesn't hasn't received renderings, the footprint of the excuse me, the footprint of the building is the same. So it's reasonable to anticipate
that the renderings are going to be very similar. This is the first floor of the building. This is uh going to be um the first floor is still planned to be a parking garage fronting forth and ocean. And then the next slide, please. This is
the um uh floor plans for floors. This is a four-story building now. Floors one through or two, three, and four. This would be the what the floor plan would be for those residential units.
>> These going to be for sale units or these rentals. >> We have not received that information as part of their submission. Fred, can you back up to the city of parking? These are all tandem parking spaces.
>> That's what's been provided. >> And how how many pairs are there? >> The proposed parking is 63 spaces. Can move on to the next couple. Yep. One more. going. Yeah. So, um we are now in the
fourth round. Even though we're still um adopting some legislation that will be linked back to the third round, all municipalities are now in the fourth round. And as far as the status of the fourth round, as I mentioned, there are ongoing negotiations with Fairshair Housing Center, 1014th Avenue, the
special adjudicator, and the program judge. What's new for the fourth round is there's no more COA. There's no more Council on affordable housing. There's really um they've and trying to move it out of the courts per se and move it into what's called the program with a capital P. And the program is run by a
number of retired judges. So that's who's uh address that's who's um that's who we're appearing in front of for the case management conferences and for the sessions. So they are now uh um managing and adjudicating these fourth round
settlements. The fourth round program judge for for for Belmar just in case anybody is interested is Judge Bookbinder. So we are in the process of ongoing negotiations. There's going to be a session which is the next step in the
process uh on December 10th. Um the even though we are in settlement negotiations, we're not going to get into too many details as to the plans for how the bureau is going to address these challenges. Generally speaking, the plan to address the bureau's realistic development potential or RDP
obligation is with the 7th Avenue project and its plan to address unmet need is through developing adopting a new overlay zone. There was an overlay zone adopted along Main Street to address the unmet need for the third round. So the planners um and the bureau and are
currently working on developing an overlay zone that would address the unmet need for the fourth round as well. As far as next steps go, the mayor mentioned there are a number of items on tonight's agenda agenda to adopt legislation which are required to
finalize finalize the third round. And then as I mentioned, the next um event with the program is going to be on December 10th. There'll be a session to present the bureau's plan to address the challenges that were ra the issues that were raised by the challenges. >> I just want to clarify in my own mind
though. So moving forward with the the fourth round plan, there's three possible scenarios. In other words, we continue negotiating and we come to some kind of a settlement. Correct? >> Yes, >> that's a possibility.
>> Yes. or we we continue negotiating and we don't and then it reverts back to the affordable housing judge. Uh and then there would be in essence a um a hearing or a trial or >> that's what's coming up. The the next event is the December 10th which is the
hearing. That's the hearing on the challenges. So really the opportunity to negotiate and settle while it's always ongoing. um is it's going we're going to have the hearing which is sort of similar to a trial although there won't be testimony on December 10th when the
bureau will um the uh pleadings are due from the challengers I think next week and then the bureau responds to those pleadings and then the matter will be heard on December 10th. At that point the judge will be within a certain period of time after that the program judge will make a decision. That
decision is subject to appeal by any of the parties um to the designated Mount Laurel judge in the county. >> Okay. >> So it'll be Judge Bookbinder who will be holding that. >> Judge Bookbinder will hold the session. >> The session? >> Yes. >> So it could it could turn out anyway. He
could say yes. you know, we're going to go with the um the uh plan that the um the people who filed the um objection to or were not. Okay. I mean, that's basically
>> at that point what will need to be resolved is the realistic development potential number and how the bureau is going to address that. how the bureau will address once the realistic development potential number is develop is determined then it'll be determined
what the burough's unmet need obligation is and then the bureau will need to submit it uh there'll need to be a resolution as to how that unmet need number is going to be met and then um a determination as to uh if the burrow will be required to include the um forth
and ocean project in its housing element fair share plan which could be ordered by the program judge. Yes. >> To address either redevelopment RDP or amend. >> So we will know on December 10th what the uh realistic development number is.
>> No the judge will we will make the the arguments will be made on December 10th. I do not know these judges since this it's an extremely compressed timetable. They're hearing a lot of matters. I do not know what their timing is as far as turning opinions around. It's challenging for the municipalities and
and I'm sure all the boards to make these decisions when we don't know what that number is. Um at least I find it frustrating. >> The other point I want to make which is >> I'd like just to answer the council's
question. I just there is a realistic development potential number an RDP number included in the burough's housing element fair share plan of five. So just to put it in perspective as to what we're looking for, it's five and so or that was what the burough's position was based on its vacant land adjustment was
that it could produce five units. The um 7th Avenue project with the which the bureau was considering the um uh starting the process to consider adopting an amendment to the seapport redevelopment plan for that project.
That project uh is for includes 10 affordable units. So uh that would be at a minimum what the RDP would be would be 10 because that's what the affordable units in that project are. >> So at that point technically it would be met.
>> That's the bureau's position is that the way to satisfy the RDP is with that project. That project produces 10. That's what the RDP is. One of the reasons why I wanted to have this tonight was because when we were starting off the third round and going
through the third round, uh, many people were upset about the so-called lack of transparency, like why we couldn't just, you know, get together with the developers and and make a deal and not
go through affordable housing and all this other kind of stuff. Um, and we tried to explain that, I think, as clearly as we could as to why we had to do what we did. This is a little different now. And I I want to bring the public, you know, into this saying that
this is it. This is step. We're at the beginning of this process here. And, you know, they're not interveners. We don't have to worry about a a builder's remedy suit or whatever. This is now, you know, a developer who wants to put a a
development on Fourth and Ocean Avenue and is going to ultimately probably be decided by a judge. And my point is, you know, I think we should, we the public should weigh in on this uh
in terms of what is it that we want because, you know, we're we're doing the legal end of things, which is, you know, numbers and and all this other stuff. But I think a message has to be sent to to developers and especially developers
who are owners in in the burrow that, you know, we want this or we don't want it. And you know, in my personal opinion, I don't want to see a four-story building on Ocean Avenue with ground level parking facing the ocean.
That's just my personal opinion. And you know what I would like to recommend to people is I'd like to know how many people in the burrow want that and how can you let me know? Well, you know what? We have a meeting on December 9th, I believe. And you know, my
challenge is if you want that type of a a building on Ocean Avenue, then come to the meeting and say that. And if you don't want that type of building on Ocean Avenue, then come to the meeting and say that this is your chance, right?
We're being as transparent as we can, but this is the chance for the residents to come up and say what they want. We're con constrained by the the legal process. We can only do what we can do with the courts. But you know, I think
uh sometimes we all feel frustrated, myself as a resident, that we don't have enough input as to what was going on. So this is this is a whole different ballgame. I think the time to to get your input heard is now. you know, you
can write to me uh if you object or if you're in favor of it, but I think at some point we quickly have to let it be known that, you know, yes, this is something that residents of Belmore want or this is something that we don't want
and perhaps we can, you know, with a little influence and a little begging, uh, get the developer to just withdraw the objection because that is always a possibility. there's a lot of stuff that can be developed on that corner within the
existing uh zoning laws, right? So, um you know there's there's a lot of different options. So, I my point is this option is not in my mind again is not the best option and I think you know
as I said it's time to speak up. So, um and that was one of my points in bringing that you know, up tonight because I don't want I didn't want people to say, you know, on Jul on December 11th or whenever this is decided like we didn't
know, you know, we didn't know that this was going to happen and uh you know, so and that was what we heard, you know, in the third round, which was a totally different process, as I said, but now we all know. Okay. So, um, uh, I think
we've been as transparent as we possibly can and we're doing as much as we possibly can legally, but, um, you know, I know I would like to hear what what the residents feel, uh, would be appropriate for that for that area, but
would not be appropriate. So, um, I'll leave it at that. Are there any other? >> No. >> Okay. Council, do you have any questions or comments? I >> I just have a question as far as the um spending plan and so is that that's
adopted for the third round to wrap up the third round. Is that right? >> It's actually part of both. It's a third round and fourth round. The bureau has developed its development fee ordinance under which it's been collecting fees since 2023, but the bureau can't spend
any fees until the court approves its spending plan. So we need to go through a process of the bureau needs to uh approve its spending plan. We need to submit it to the court. The court needs to approve it and then we need to execute a consent order with fair share housing to authorize the bureau to start
spending under the spending plan. >> I had a question about that. Um it bookmarks I think $30,000 per unit for rehab in the upcoming year. What units are we talking about? Um
I don't have that information. The spelling spending plan is developed by the um planner, but I can say that there might not be specific units. It's just part of the plan to meet its third round rehabilitation obligations. So while there might not be any units that are
specifically earmarked as units come to the burrow and are brought to the burrow, that's what it's estimating that it would be spending for those units in order to satisfy its third round rehabilitation obligation without having specific units earmarked.
>> These are not burrow owned units. But who's so >> uh if redevelopers wanted to come and say we can rehab this and make affordable housing units again it's to facilitate an affordable use affordable housing program throughout the burough. These are not burough owned units. It's
to facilitate uh financing and funding to make available to developers who are re uh in the business of rehabilitating properties to be used for affordable housing. >> Are these units that would be being converted into affordables? They would be required to ultimately be used as
affordable housing. Yes. >> Yes. >> So the benefit to the developer would be that they would get a little more money >> financial >> financial incentive to to do that. >> Yes. >> Any other questions?
>> Any other matters for um workshops? Okay, let's uh move on and move then to any petitions. >> May I don't receive any petitions. >> Approval of minutes. >> I have a motion to approve the minutes of the November 11th meeting. >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Councilman Donovan. >> Yes. >> Mayor Vusco. >> Yes. Council >> Monnerro. >> Yes. >> Courts of council. Council Donovan. Congratulations, Chief Scott. Um, it was wonderful to
come down and see you receive that award. I want to say every year we have the kids from the elementary school come and um, they do them on trial. They tour the courthouse. They love seeing the jail. Um, and one of the features in the police station, if you've ever been back there, is the port are the portraits of all the police chiefs. And when you get
to the last one, she's a little different from the rest of them. And I just want to say like it's so great because when the kids come in, they don't just see a police officer, they don't just see a woman, they see a role model. And thank you so much for all that you've done.
Now, the Mammoth County Municipal Open Space Grant Program has awarded the Burrow of Belmar a $23,341 grant to renovate the walking trail around Silver Lake and make other improvements. So, that's going to include complete reconstruction of the
existing trail um with a permeable pavement. So, that will be like the walking trail that circles Lake Ko. Um, and this will not only be nicer to look at, nicer to run on, nicer to walk on, but it's also going to improve water quality, which is one of our big goals
for this project. So, right now, when rain water comes out, it goes straight into the lake along with what other type of animal droppings might be there. Um, we have had an ongoing high hazard al hazardous algae bloom in Silver Lake. It
improved actually over last year to this year, which is fantastic news. But we expect that this project will help improve the water quality because the water will be absorbed back into the soil and filtered before it goes to the lake. So wonderful news much thanks to
our burough engineer Jim Orus right over there. Um and this also includes other great amenities. It's like potentially benches, dogway stations, bike ramps, ADA compliant ramps, um and potential perimeter lighting upgrades. So wonderful news for the ongoing project
that is Silver Lake. We have that ongoing Army Corps of Engineer planning grant which again our engineer has been very busy on collecting storm sewer infrastructure inventory scheduling a lake survey and this will work in tandem with that because that is the long-term
expertled plan um and this is going to be something that residents will see those immediate improvements to um make their lives and all of our lives a little better, a little happier. So thank you um patchwork for wildlife. We have our fifth award celebration that's
recognizing people's efforts to improve the environment right in their yards. It includes five different communities now including Belmar and Lake Ko. So all of you are invited to join via Zoom Monday, December 2nd at 700 p.m. Um for more information like the Zoom link, you can
contact me or check out Facebook. Um we have holiday lights holiday events coming up. Um, we have the Christmas tree lighting at 6 PM in Piano Plaza on December 4th. The holiday light show December 13th at 6 PM also in Piano
Plaza. The Holly Jolly Trolley tour, which I wasn't sure I was going to be able to say. Uh, Sun, Saturday, December 13th. Um, Scoops with Santa, which is a PTO le event from the elementary school will be 1 to 4
p.m. in Taylor Pavilion on the 14th. The Monora lighting will be Monday the 15th which is always a wonderful event. I really encourage everyone to come out to it. Um Chris Brandle uh does a great job leading that. Um and the final holiday
light show December 20th at 6 p.m. in Piano Plaza. And finally, the one last thing that the tourism commission committee is looking at will be um evaluating our ordinance to see with the new Netflix facility coming in, what ordinance we want to tighten, which ones
we want to change to either encourage or discourage um filming here in Belmar. So, um thank you all. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and we will see you after that. >> Thank you, uh Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Do we know,
Councilwoman Donovan, if um the um holiday market is still happening on the 13th and 14th? >> Thought so. >> Thought so. >> It is. >> Yes. >> Great. Wonderful. >> Um I very much also enjoyed um seeing
Chief Scott get her award at the league. It was a proud moment uh for me. I remember her being sworn in and bringing my daughter along and saying, "This is a huge moment for Belmar." and it's just been a a wonderful opportunity to work with you and we're just so grateful for
your leadership. So, thank you. Um, we all attended the opening of Amelio's Kitchen, which is a new restaurant on Main Street. It's uh 10:06 Main Street. If you haven't tried it, it's delicious. The food is organic, fresh, absolutely
delicious. Uh, so please check that out. Um, as Councilwoman Don Donovan is saying, there there's a lot of events happening for the holidays. I'm going to add just a few. Um, the December 11th holiday concert is actually at max capacity uh for the library. So, the
vocal stylings of Zach Alexander uh sold out uh the crowd for that. But if you want a holiday experience, you can come to the Belmar Elementary School Coral and Band concert which starts at 6:30 um at the BES auditorium. There's also
space to register for the live animal series Touch Tank on Saturday, December 6th at 11:00 a.m. And there's space remaining for the cozy holiday movie night at the library Tuesday the 9th for the little ones K through 3, third
grade. So go to the Belmar Library.com to register. Uh, also the library is closed tomorrow at 200 p.m. and will remain closed through Sunday, November 30th for the Thanksgiving holiday. Uh, December 7th, the Beach Music Studios
students in the Danny White Band will be presenting uh and performing at their annual holiday party at the Stone Pony at 12:00 p.m. So, please check out their website or social media for details. Um, so we do have the holiday market on, um,
December 13th, um, which is 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and I believe that's around Piano Plaza, um, and down Main Street. Um, and that's the 14th as well. Uh, I want to say 11 to 4 on the 14th, but
we'll find out more information. Make sure to post it. Um, the Belmar Historical Society will also have a holiday open house from 1 to 3 on December 13th. You can take a tour of the museum and Union Firehouse and browse unusual gifts of Belmar
historical items. Uh, so that's 900 East Street in the annex of the historic Union Firehouse. Gosh, we have a lot going on. Okay. Um Oh, Chief, would you mind? Um, I heard
that there was possibly a jolly soul coming to town. Could you fill us in on what we need to do to make sure we can see that jolly soul? >> So, Santa will be arriving on Monday, December 15th. Um, we have posted on the
Facebook page and social media as to what you need to do in order for Santa to come to your house um the week prior. I don't want to give out too much information. So, check our Facebook page and Facebook page for what you need to
do and uh where the gifts need to be dropped off for Santa. Is that good? >> Awesome. >> All right. Thank you. I appreciate it. Um the next Belar Housing Authority meeting will be Monday, December 1st at 5:15. And lastly, I just want to thank
you all. Um, all the active burrow residents, volunteers, employees, professionals, uh, and this council. Um, you we all work so hard. You all work so hard and you're all amazing. And, uh, you all deserve a very happy
Thanksgiving. >> You went over your five minutes. Um, of course now there's nothing left for me to to talk about because they they gave all the events out and whatever, but I'm going to put a plug in for the historical society. Uh, again,
the 13th, I think it's 1 to 3 p.m. So, uh, if you haven't been there or just go check it out. Uh, the other thing I'll just bring everyone an update with is the Fifth Avenue construction that I've been living with for the last when did
they start that? September 16th or was it October? It feels like July 16th, but you know, it's been like it's amazing. It's a lot of work. They just But I think they're getting to the uh to close to Main Street, so I'm assuming that it's it's uh it's winding down. I've
seen a few pieces of equipment go off on the on the, you know, trailers, so I'm I'm thinking it's uh it's going to go down. Even though I did see a few people from the water department on one of the corners today and I'm like, "Oh, that's never a good sign because they probably hit a water line or something like
that." But, uh, so uh, but you know, it's good uh that I I think it's getting done and uh, I think it's going to be great. And finally, again, Chief, congratulations on your award. We all appreciate you. And people are talking like you're going someplace, but you're
not going someplace yet. town, but you you're still with us for a while. And I would like to, you know, again, offer everyone a very happy and healthy holiday, uh, Thanksgiving and also Christmas, but we have time for that.
Not too much time, but we do have time. So, get your Christmas shopping done early. Uh, that's it for me. Uh, let's move on to um the public session on the resolutions that are on the agenda. Anyone has a comment or question about a
resolution, please step forward, state your name and address 203 Avenue. I just have a question about the um the spending plan and um under expenditure schedule it describes 100%
identified $ 1.5 million allocated to our future 100% 100% municipally sponsored projects slash supportive needs housing program and in the next sentence it seems that's two different possible projects is that right
>> I was just trying to understand kind of category basis. I understand from the next sentence it says at this time the bureau has no definite plans for either of these programs but are committed to allocating the funding should the opportunity during the fourth round present itself for either or both programs to be realized. I'm just trying
to understand I've never heard of a municipally sponsored project in this context or a supportive needs housing project. I'm more familiar with those. But I'm just going to try and understand just what the brackets are that you all are kind of keeping in mind in terms of
what types of projects um possible have >> our redevelopment council. So, as you stated, uh, as the it does make a reference that the there could be allocated toward a future 100% municipally sponsored project supported
need housing program. At this time, the burrow has no definite plans for either one of these programs, but they just wanted to put the funding in the plan should those programs become available. >> Got it. But it says here that they've been discussed during the burough's round three negotiations. So I so I
assume you mean you just discussed it in terms of those vague descriptions or did you have some discussion of something >> as far as a possibility of pursuing those opportunities they were discussed in the context of resolving the fourth round the third round obligation which has been resolved.
>> Okay. Would either of those uh types of projects conceptually possibly encompass um replacing some of the units in the senior building. from being senior housing to being affordable housing that
would satisfy any of the fourth round obligations. >> There are no definite plans. So I couldn't speak to that. >> But it's possible that that >> there are no definite plans for these programs. >> Different question. Is it is it says you you discussed it during the these projects have discussed during the
>> I think I think I'm going to intervene here. That will not be considered unless the commissioners of the Belmore Housing Authority come to us and request that. >> Okay. Then but but if if they do request that then this this would it could fall under one of these. >> Yes.
>> All right. Thanks. That was my question. >> Any other >> comments? Okay. >> The um sorry Mike on the spending plan also one question. the 30,000 allocated that's
for let's say I own a 5 unit building right and I want to convert that to affordable I can get 30,000 per unit to convert those >> I think I don't know if uh Francis is
question I just want that we the the burough planner developed the spending plan so while I have the opportunity to discuss this briefly with our some of it I I do need to defer to the burough plan to the burough planner I can, she's not here this evening. I can say that um uh
this the 30,000 would only be applicable to an affordable unit. You cannot use you cannot use affordable housing trust funds on market rate units even if you're facilitating an affordable unit. >> So it's 30,000 to to improve an already designated affordable unit.
>> Uh right as for rehabil this is only rehabilitation. >> I thought it was like someone had a two family home and they wanted to convert it to affordable. It's for it's already affordable. These are rehabilitation. So yeah, I would I would say that that is already forable units.
>> Yeah. >> Any other >> speakers? Okay. >> Can I just address the rehab? We did. >> We only get one. I'm kidding. >> We did a rehabilitation project um in the 90s. Uh it was called Yards Edition.
It was a section of town south of 12th Avenue where the lots are smaller and uh and the houses are smaller. Uh and we had regional contribution agreement money that we got from how uh and we used it to do rehabilitation projects of these homes and and you had to go and
identify the homeowners and the homeowners would be income qualified and we used the money uh to do um improvements of their heating system um weather taping around their um around the windows replace windows. It was all designed to make the the units more
habitable uh and cheaper to live in. So it's that was how how it worked. you got credit for for those units because that we had we we took mutual contribution agreement for money from how how got the credit our residents live better lives. So um that's the kind of projects that I
think are out there. >> Good. >> Thank you. Mayor, can I just um add I went to an affordable housing um class at the League of M municipalities and one of the things that they had mentioned is if there are homeowners
that have exactly um what Mayor Pringle mentioned that had been part of a rehab project um and maybe they were expired, the credit had expired um that they should and they can um reapply for it um
and it would be back included. um into the project. So if if you know I don't know personally those those um homeowners um but I was told to encourage uh anyone who was part of a pass program uh to re-engage if they're
if they're interested. >> I mean I think we have more work to do in terms of just you know getting our feet wet with the uh affordable housing trust fund and and the ways that it can be used and the the spending plan and all that stuff. So, I mean, it's a it's
a work in progress and I think we'll all learn as as time goes on and everything sounds good. I think it's great. Any other comments? >> Can I have a motion to close the public session?
>> I'll make that motion. >> Second favor. Hi. >> Uh, resolution 2025206 was a resolution authorizing refunds. Uh, this was separate from the consent
agenda because council Donovan is one of the refunds listed. Uh, but since we don't have full council, we don't have enough to vote. So, we'll have to table this resolution till the next meeting. >> Not getting a refund for another couple
week. >> All right. Uh, so can I have a motion to approve the resolutions as listed on the consent agenda? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second.
>> Second. >> Councilwoman Donovan. >> Yes. >> Mayor Becca Pasco. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Randero. >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh, next we have second reading and public hearing on ordinance 202522. This is an ordinance appropriating funds
from the Beach Capital Improvement Fund for the construction of the project known as the 16th Avenue bathroom pavilion. This is open for public comment. If anyone would like to speak on this ordinance, please step forward. State your name and address first >> am I loud enough?
>> Oh, that you want to hear your words. report that you >> is he coming through now? >> Yes, I think so. >> These microphones are very directional. I've noticed that when the chief was
speaking over there. Um the other thing is um maybe we should get the uh the newer uh microphones that they have for uh using in a crowd uh where you actually put a mic condom over the
microphone and then when you leave you take the condom with you and whatever else you spit on whatever virus or whatever you were spreading. Uh anyhow, yeah, I have a actually a general question about this
uh the $300,000. Where did that uh uh money come from? >> From the u the beach fund, >> beach capital fund. >> Is that from the uh the sale of the
beach badges? Uh I don't know exactly how the capital fund is is funded. I mean it's I would have to say yes because the only income that the beach the beach fund gets is from is from uh
badge sales. >> Yeah. That that seems to average around4 or five million dollars a year. U you know actually you know badge sales. I I I just wanted to know uh so so that
this so-called beach capital improvement uh fund is actually u money that uh that came from people that purchased badges to go on to the beach. Correct. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Okay. Um and uh so that in order to go on to the beach that's only from Memorial Day to Labor Day that u that there is a requirement for a beach back.
Correct. >> Correct. >> Yes, I said correct. >> Okay. Uh then uh you know this is really being you know constructing a building that's going to have heat in it um is really an
additional expense a lot more expensive than than putting out trailers um you know on the beach for the beachgoers to use. uh you know it it's really being unfair uh to the beach
badge purchaser you know to take on or paying for something that they absolutely do not need. >> So then you want the taxpayers to pay for the part of that. >> I'm not saying >> well somebody's got to pay for it. >> Yeah but
>> not the beach if it's not coming out of the beach fund it's got to come out of the general fund. We have no other sources of revenue of income. So, >> well, it's it's appropriate to come out of the the fund that it's coming out of because we operate a beach facility. And
but Mr. Kramer's point is well, you know, the it's only going to be used by beachgoers for the summer. So, that means the beachgoers shouldn't be paying for it for the other six months of the year, which means then the taxpayers have to pay for that, right?
>> Or you raise beach bags price, right? >> That's not fair. Well, >> why would I raise the beach bed price? >> Well, that's exactly what I'm saying, Mayor. Perhaps this is unnecessary.
Perhaps this whole project is is is a bad idea. >> No, it beyond that. It's it's a good idea. >> Excuse me. You're beyond that. But I just see this thing as being like the the Prince Lombardi rest area on the turnpike or another rest area on the
Garden State Parkway. um you know the beach badge purchaser doesn't need this period. >> Okay. Well, that's your opinion and I respect it.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Mike Delasio. Um so we got a grant for the building, right? This came to the planning board through a grant. How much was that grant? Do we know?
>> What was it? 1.5 million. >> So, was there an estimate for the building prior to This is the public bid, >> right? I saw an advertisement. Yeah. So, there was an estimate for the building prior to like an engineering estimate or like a did you do a construction manager's
estimate or just engineering firm? >> Engineering. >> So, I mean I I do this for a living. I do a lot of public bids. A lot of times when you see this, I'm just worried about taking the money out of a beach fund. Our beach fund is, you know, it need we our beaches take up a lot of money, a lot of expenses. Why didn't we
rebid it? If we had 1.5 million and we got bids, I'm assuming for 1.8, why don't we take something minor out of this building and try to get it down to 1.5 instead of taking money out of our beach capital and using only the grant
money? Mayor, I know we talked a lot about uh this last um meeting and I'm sorry um Mike that you missed it, but um our um Jim Morris really helped us understand why the estimate the original estimate was different and why it makes
sense to move ahead um with this project now um financially um and and I don't know whether that's something that since he's here he can shed some light on as well as to what the difference were as to the estimate. >> I'm not saying reduce something
significant. But again, I see this happen all the time. You know, town gets an estimate, contractors have a different opinion. Put it back out to bid. You can get 10 more contractors. People go to go for the low bid. You can get this down. That's it. Just it happens all the time. We all know it,
but I think we're, you know, jumping to it to take $300,000 out of a fund that is pretty valuable to this town. I don't want to give any opinion on >> Mayor I'd be happy to add some information.
>> Go ahead. >> Why don't just step up to the mic? So, the um grant application that was submitted to the New Jersey uh boardwalk preservation um fund was for um they awarded $1.5 million, but that included
um all the costs the burough share on that was $75,000. Uh 1.2 was for construction, balance was for the soft cost for the architects, the engineers, permitting fees, environmental reviews, administrative costs. So really the cost available for construction I think it's like 1.15.
Um the bids that we received range from 1.8 uh I have that here. Excuse me. I have to put my glasses on. I apologize. So the bids that we received were low bidder was 1.8. Um
second low bidder was uh $2 million 37,000. The third low bidder was 2.1. Uh fourth low bidder was 2.1. Um fourth low bidder was 2.3 and 2.5. So I'm bringing up that up because we had
several bids. It was a very competitive bid. Um the low bidder um demonstrated that he is the bids are in that realm in that uh reasonable realm for the construction cost. um for us to revise
the bid documents and it wasn't just $300,000 because it's it's more like $500,000. So um we would have to make the building smaller which basically means going back and reart you know going to the architect redoing the
building size making it smaller reducing the number of um water closets in the unit which we when we designed when the design was put forward we consulted with public works with regards to what's in the trailer now how many do you need
long term um so the building is it. I think it has 12 units for the ladies, 12 units for the men. So, it's larger than the old beach trailer that was there before because it's there to serve um more of the population at that
location. Um so, the number u Mr. Plaza, the number is not 300. It's more like five or $600,000 that we would have to make up which means we would lose time uh because we'd have to go probably spend another month at least on redesign
and then from there we'd have to go back out to bid and we are up against the clock on this particular project because we have to have the money spent and reimbured by the end of this year. We really were shooting to have the project open for originally for Memorial Day. Um
uh we're looking at hopefully having it open for Fourth of July. So we would essentially push everything out to the end of the summer. It's it's one of your busiest locations when you look at uh 16th Avenue. So um my recommendation was
that we had very competitive bids. Um you would spend more money on revising the documents um so that again costs would go up. Um, and the only way you can really conceivably save any kind of money would again to make the building smaller, which defeats the long-term
purpose of having the that size building at that location. >> But I thought I heard you say too that we had to have a under contract before the end of the year. >> Is that the you said or else we would lose the um the uh grant? >> Not necessarily that, but we have to
have it completely spent and reimbursed by the end of 2026. >> Okay. So there's a process that by which we have to abide by with the department of community affairs. Um now if there are additional monies that become available through this fund the bureau
will if they haven't already apply for that money. So if monies do come back to the program. The department of community affairs says that they have the ability to reimburse the burrow for any monies that you spent above the original 1.5.
Um, so that hopefully will result in the bureau getting money back from that perspective. The other thing is in the 1.8 there's $100,000 in allowance. So really hopefully we'll have a change order down at the project level that we
would see um that not that allowance not utilized. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> That answers your question. >> I'm going to ask Mr. Kane, do we how much do we know how much money we have in the beach capital fund?
People off the hand that number, >> right? Is it is this $3,000 going to be to the point where it it's depleting the fund? >> No. >> No. I mean, we uh >> No. >> Are we not going to be able to do anything uh on the on the beach because
we're spending $300,000 on the uh >> No. >> On the bathroom? >> No. >> No. Okay. But maybe we should we should uh you know just look at and let people know how much money is actually in that fun. I could probably look it up here, but I I don't want to take the time.
>> Yeah. But you know, my concern would be that, you know, if we're using money that, you know, is going to prevent us from doing something else on the beach, uh you know, then then we'd look at it. But I don't think that ever came up in in any of the discussions I was involved
in that we were putting, you know, the beach uh fund or the you know beach operations at any kind of a financial risk by doing this. >> No, our CFO was comfortable with that number. >> Okay. Any other comments on this
ordinance? Barry >> Barry Luben 15th Avenue. um comment on what Mr. Kramer was saying. Um the permanent building is an asset to the town. Um I understand what you're saying
with um the expense. You said heating it. Uh why are we heating it? Well, we're heating it so it doesn't freeze. Um but then we're also working with D and things like that where the permanent building is a good
thing. Um the expense Billy can tell me how much time and effort it takes to move the trailer to there each year. the gas bill while that building is locked. Just keeping the pipes from freezing.
That's all it is is 100 bucks. So it it's totally minimal in that respect. >> Plus plus we have to remember too this is being done for the public's good. I mean, you know, we we have the the Fifth
Avenue one open and I've heard from many people who walk the boardwalk and in the winter time like, "Oh, this is great. You know, if we have to go to the bathroom, we just go right up into the, you know, so we have many and we've had people say to us, why can't the trailers be open, you know, all year round?" So,
you know, it it's also being done for the uh the people who are on the boardwalk all year round. And, you know, and and that's really the main reason for wanting to keep it open all year. Uh so that it's a convenience. You know, if you drive, I mean, we all live in
Belmore for years. If you come up on a nice Sunday in February, you'll see people walking on the boardwalk. So, I I think it's a tremendous asset for the burrow to do that. for somebody who uh has uh worked that end of the boardwalk
uh my part-time job. Um I don't want to see any um units removed from that facility because I think the Fifth Avenue building has too few units
from what people have pitched in mind. >> Okay. >> Anything else? I have a motion to close the public hearing. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> I have a motion to adopt ordinance
202522. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Counciloman Donovan. >> Yes. >> Mayor Busco, >> yes. >> Councilman Romero, >> yes. And last item is ordinance 202523, an ordinance approving and adopting an
amendment to the amended redevelopment plan for the seapport redevelopment area. We have a motion to offer this ordinance for first reading and introduction. >> I'll make the motion. >> Second. >> Councilman Donovan, >> yes. >> Mayor Beesco, >> yes.
>> Council Romero, >> yes. Okay, now we're on to public session. If anyone would like to speak, just remember to please state your name and address first. >> Good evening, Linda Sharus, 4th Avenue. Um, I'm hoping you can help me
understand why we didn't get more affordable units from the developers who have already been approved that we, you know, in places 10 units instead of the 20%
Is there a reason we didn't push for 20 and the courts agreed? Because I thought that was a >> I've said many times this is this was a a three-way negotiation. So it it was not simply a matter of us saying we want
x number of units because as soon as somebody said something like that then the developer would say well we need another floor. So then that butts up against the the whole idea of trying to limit the height of of the building or
then the next thing is well then we we need more parking. So there were like three or four or five variables going around at the same time. So it wasn't simply I mean the developer and I'm I'm saying this and I'm chuckling. The developer could always say we want to
give you more units than than we than you know than we have to. I mean, there's nothing that says they have to be at 20%. They could have said, "Oh, yeah, we'll give you 25%." But no, they're not they're not immenable to doing that because it cuts
into their to their profit. I mean, it's obviously they're in this to make money. So, you know, and I can't fault them for that. So, they're not going to >> You got to remember though, the whole the overlord of all of this, as I like to say, is the fair share housing group.
They're the ones who really are controlling the the the string as to how many units they will be agreeable to. If they said we don't, you know, this development has uh 15% and they're saying no, we don't agree to that, well
then we'd have to continue negotiating. If if it comes to 15% or 16% and fair share housing says, "Yep, that's fine." Then that's fine. But what's the whole idea is that 20% be would be amidst all
the other units as opposed to 10% is a relatively small number compared to the units that are going in. So I don't understand who is representing us in those discussions to get such we wouldn't be in this situation if we had
received more units from the other building. gladly have have approved more units. It it's really the the gatekeeper was the the fair share housing center. >> But who represented? >> We we we we had our attorneys
representing us. So >> to the counciloman's point, these projects when they first were brought to the burough probably three or four years ago didn't include any affordable housing. >> They were all market rate, the the intervenor projects, which ultimately turned into intervenor projects, did not
include any affordable housing. So it was a very difficult negotiation as far as getting, you know, how many affordable units would be included. As the mayor said, these projects, there's a couple levers, obviously the developer's interest is financial.
Uh the more each affordable unit costs the developer a certain amount of money. It cost it's generally back of the envelope math is it's four market rate units to fund one affordable unit. So the more affordable units you force onto a project or include in a project, it
increases the density and as the mayor mentioned, increases the parking. None of the projects, none of the intervenor projects include 10% affordable units. I'm not sure where you're getting that number. The minimum number I think is 15%, some of it's maybe 17%. Uh some of
the intervenor projects, one of the intervenor projects is 20%. So those were the intervenor projects. That was for the third round. Going forward, the burough has adopted a um mandatory set aside ordinance that pro redevelopment projects that are greater than five
units will now be required to have a 20% set aside. So that is going forward finally wrapping up the third round obligations which have been lingering within the burrow for 10 15 years. Now going forward there is a mandatory 20% set aside. So to that point, those
projects that have already been approved but have not been started, will they be required to add the affordable? >> No. The will they already have the affordable? You mean those intervenor projects? >> No. The smaller projects that have been approved? >> No. Once the pro once a project receives
its preliminary site plan approval or site plan approval, there's no ability for the burough to go back and negotiate. they would be subject to um being exposed to litigation because they've received a representation from the bureau that they have an approval. You can't then go back and say we're withdrawing that approval and requiring
you to do something additional. >> Okay. Well, thank you. >> Anyone else like to make a comment? Clear 18 and B. Um, let me just say thank you for repeating things over and
over and over again because I've been to most of these meetings and I've heard it over and over again and I wish everybody watched all the meetings and came to the meetings and could hear it so that everybody didn't have to constantly repeat different things.
And one other thing was we did miss the last meeting but councilwoman council president Rondro thank you so much for the workshop that you gave. Um I had asked for that years ago. It was great. It's an explanation of everything so
that when things come up for you know public session questions most of the questions are already answered. So thank you for that. I do really appreciate it and also appreciate all the time that you put in over the past three years and I just hope that you don't disappear out
of Belmar like so many people do after they've been up there. Thank you and happy Thanksgiving to everyone. >> Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving. And I just want to say we don't mind repeating things because, you know, as a as a former teacher, you know, people people have different ways of learning things and some people just need to hear
something more than once and and some of the things we're discussing are not intuitively uh, you know, uh, easy to grasp on the first round. So, I think it's, you know, it's not a problem for us to to explain, uh, things over if we have to. So, I
don't want anybody to think they they shouldn't get up and ask a question because we might have answered it once before. Any other comments? >> I have a motion to close the public session and adjourn the meeting. >> I'll make the motion. >> Second. All in favor?