Adequate notice of this meeting of the mayor and council was sent by email to the Asbury Park Press and the co-star our official newspapers and posted on the bulletin board of the municipal building to roll call. Councilman Donovan >> here. Councilman Kenny >> here. Council Romero
>> here. Councilman Levis here. >> And Mayor Buckfusco is absent. >> Good evening. Please rise as able for the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisibley
and justice for all. >> Additionally, a moment of silence for our troops, their families, all of our first responders, and especially on this Veterans Day, we pray and thank those who have served our country. Additionally, a moment of silence for
Bel Martians Antoanet Fatali, Eileen Abner, and for Chris Dylan, who is a Belmar native and husband of Colleen Dylan, our Belmar camp director, father of Aaron Dylan, our assistant camp director, and many other family members uh in the Belmar area. We are thinking
of you. Thank you. Thank you all for being here tonight. Our mayor is at absent, so I have the pleasure of leading the meeting. Uh before we get into workshop, I'd like to just make some acknowledgements. I want to once again thank our veterans on this
Veterans Day. And I know we have some veterans in the room today. If you do me the honor of standing up so we can congratulate you and thank you. They're humble, too. >> They're humble. They are very humble. >> Well, thank you for your service, your
sacrifice, and contribution to our country. Uh this morning, uh Colonel Jim Bagley of VFW led our community again in a beautiful ceremony with select members of the Belmar Elementary School Choir performing a patriotic tribute. And I want to thank everyone who hustled
really hard to change the venue from outside in the cold and wind um to inside in the burough gymnasium uh including our department of public works, our police department, Jenna Vaness, Barry Trugo um and uh our my
fellow council members team effort. So thank you. Uh, New Jersey had its election day last Tuesday and I'd like to acknowledge all four of our burough council candidates and congratulate Mike Delasio and Kevin Moroni on their newly elected positions on council. Uh, I know
the mayor has extended his congratulations and we know all the commitment and heart this role takes. Serving on council is one of the most rewarding positions I've held. Um, so we wish them the best. Uh, and even though Councilman Levis and I unfortunately won't be up today with you with with
them, um, we're behind them in their service to Belmar and we're here if they need anything. Uh, all of the council candidates, um, Councilman Levis, Mark Spagnolo, Mike Delasio, and Kevin all have years of serving and
volunteering in Belmar already. And I know for all of them that their passion for our community extends well beyond election years. So we thank you for what you have already done and the contributions you continue to bring. Okay. Workshop.
Um we have one ordinance on the agenda today and several resolutions. The ordinance today is to appropriate funds from the beach capital improvement fund for the construction of the 16th Avenue bathroom pavilion. As you remember, we
were awarded $1.5 million from the state specifically for this project as we work with D to comply with their request to have a permanent structure for bathrooms on the beach. The bids came higher um than our original engineering estimate.
The lowest bidder, Catel, came in at 1.8 million. And I was told the increase in cost was due to extra measures required by DP for the project, including elevating the building, entrance ramps, and moving some of the playground equipment over. Being that this is a
beach project, we're requesting to use our capital beach funds to make this work. Our CFO has figured the best way to do this, and I think that makes sense. Um, this way there'll be no additional funds required from our taxpayers.
Um I I had questions today about why can't we just redesign and rebid and um the answer that I understand but we do have our burough engineer here is that if we had to redesign and rebid we're looking at furthering the cost and
pushing back the timeline where the project may not be able to utilize the $ 1.5 million grant we currently have available. The grant requires the funding to be spent and reimbursed by 203126. So time is of the essence. Um and uh I
also have heard from our CFO and engineer that we can and should lobby uh our state legislators for additional funds if they have unspent money from other state projects. So there is hope uh if we can get some funds reimbursed. So, I want to open this up for questions
and discussion on this ordinance with the council. >> Sure. Um, well, first I want to say I know we're all disappointed about the increased cost, but I think this is the type of thing where um these type of uh
this type of infrastructure is really important and the type that our residents really want. Bathrooms are highly in demand on the boardwalk. we don't want to take away anymore and this will be um a permanent positive to the
boardwalk. Um but that being said, we all had some questions about the cost and I had just some simple questions if if you don't mind. Um like I noticed in the budgeting it had notations for I think it was like $7,000 for uh reusable
uh fencing. Um and there was costs noted for traffic control. is that coming out of um like don't we already have that fencing that those are those simple kind of questions. I would appreciate your um providing some clarity.
>> Uh certainly Jim Morris your borrow engineer. So I think maybe you're looking at the bid form um that um that contractor submitted. So that varies from bidder to bidder. Umh there are There's probably third I think
there's 31 line items in the bid. Um, wherever we can reuse uh equipment or fencing, we are. For example, the bid calls to remove and reset the existing equipment. Um, so you know that I hope
that answers your question >> and traffic control that would be coming out of is is the line item for traffic controls noting our own burrow costs to do that or is that >> So the uh project includes having to go into uh Ocean Avenue for new water and
sewer services. The original project uh budgeting uh assumed that we could use the services that were there currently serving the trailer, but they're not large enough. So, we have to go back out to the street and increase the size of the services. Um, so that was a change
from the original budgeting process. So, that's a that's a pretty big dollar item. Same thing with electric. When the project was originally scoped out, if you go down and you look, there's an electric um junction box, for lack of a better term, as a transformer right
there. We're assuming that the power could be pulled from there, but there's not enough power there to do that. So, we have to go across the street to the pole and new underground electric to that location. So, some of those things were not in the original budget when we put that budget together back in 2023.
And that budget for the bathroom building was a part of a bigger grant request. So, we had requested grant funding for u boardwalk repairs. We worked with public works with regards to um parts of the boardwalk that are deteriorating that should be addressed.
We also looked at retrofitting the bathroom trailers so that um we could have bathroom trailers off the beach and on the boardwalk because at that time we weren't sure that we were going to be able to get a caffer permit and a flood hazard permit to have the bathroom
trailers on the beach. We've since uh gotten the flood hazard permit for those bathroom trailers with some modifications that need to be uh that need to take place with regards to the concrete support. Um we have the flood hazard permit for the building. Um part
of the increased cost um I think council woman touched on the fact that the building had to be raised higher than you would normally expect it to be. That's because the D requirement of the real rule which
is um well it started off as 1 plus 5. So that added at least 4 feet to what we would normally have placed the building height at. That's compounded exponentially because all the pylons had to get taller as well. Um so the
building is designed to meet the real rule uh the old real rule 1 + 5. Um they've since changed the rule. >> It's now forecasted to be a one plus 4. >> We had intended to do a presentation on
that because residents really should know the details of that. So let's put in that for next year. That's a good point. Um so since it's higher, does that mean we had to um change the ramps too to accommodate that height? >> Correct. The ramps are longer. Um and originally we had we didn't anticipate
having to rebuild um the beach ramp that currently is in the location where the building is going. >> So what happened was during the permitting process NJTP Caffer came back and said, "Well, the building on the beach doesn't meet the coastal zone
rules because there was never a building there before. So we can't give you that that location." But historic aerial photo show there was a building. if you slide the building 50 feet to the south, we can work with you on a permit. And then from there, then they said, well,
not only that, you have to now slide it closer to the boardwalk. So, it really just kept changing and evolving from the D permit requirements. But it's predominantly the height, the location changed, um the the sewer and water
services change. And within the bid form that uh the contractors bid on, we also included an allowance for unforeseen circumstances of $100,000. So if we don't use that, then then that would not be expended through the project. That was not originally budgeted in the
original budget. >> Okay. So Mr. Back to this real rule. Did this happen within the last year or so? Like when did that change? >> This year. >> Oh, it changed this year. >> So, and we had pre-application meetings with uh you know with D. But the you
know the boardwalk grant when the boardwalk grant was assigned again we were we were asking for I don't know the number. It was in excess of $2 million. Um and when they came back and they basically said this is what you're going to get. That was all it was. There was no more additional funding at that time.
They did that with every municipality. They essentially came up with a number. There was no rhyme or reason to it. Here's your number. So, that's that's where it's at. >> Can you tell me uh where the playground is going to move? Do we know that >> it needs to, believe it or not, it's
just needs to slide a little bit to the south and a little bit further away from the board away from the boardwalk, but it's still within the confines of the usable beach area. The fencing is going to be relocated slightly to accommodate the change. Um, so it's not going to move much, but it has to move have
clearances to where the uh the building is. Originally, we actually had the building set up with two ramps, one on the men's room side and one on the ladies room side, but for economy sake and for footprint sake, we had to eliminate one of the ramps. So now you
have a ramp on the south side. It actually extends a little bit past the the ocean side of the building to to accommodate the extra height, but it works out in as much as that extra ramping will give you better viewing
around the back of the building for safety purposes. Um, so we had received a comment from a very active resident that felt like it was important to not have blind spots. So having the ramp extend a little bit past the back of the building helps eliminate that that blind
spot there. Um but there will be no ramp on the on the north side of the building. Um but there is a walkway so that you'll be able to when you get to the elevation where the doors are, you'll have plenty of room to walk, you know, across the front of the building
depending on if you're going to the ladies room. There was also a discussion that DPW was going to help us with moving some of the fencing and the playground. Is that still part of the project? >> So, it's not it's a part of the project in the contractor's bid. So, if we
wanted to try and get a credit back from the contractor for that type of work, we could work with him on that prior to award of the contract to see if he he'd be willing to do that. Any other questions on this ordinance? Just
to clarify for everyone, exactly which app will the bathroom be on or is it between two ones? Because now there's a new location, right? >> So, if you're the easiest way to explain it is um right now there's a bump out for the bathroom trailer. The bathroom trailer has to move. It's not going to
be there until, you know, during construction. >> This is at 16th Avenue, by the way. 16th Avenue. >> 16th. I apologize. Is it 16th? But it's on the south side of the bump out. So we that that's that is where the only place that DP would let us put it because
again there was a much larger structure out there at one point in time when you look at the historic aerial photos, but they really are they they drew a line in the sand, no pun intended, of where we could put it. >> Thank you so much, J.
Um, and then just just to clarify, we did talk to the CFO. I I think we all individually reached out to her about this to make sure that this wasn't going to be an additional burden on taxpayers. And according to her, it is not. It is coming from beach funds and uh other
capital funds. So, it's going to be money is not upwards. And I think that's really important to bring up because I know the past year there's been a lot of talk about how municipalities spend the badge money. Um, and this is exactly the
type of thing that, you know, we budget for and make sure that we have the funds so that everyone, both our residents and visitors, um, have a good time at the beach and have safe, um, clean, sanitary places to go to the bathroom, to park,
to change, all of those things. Thank you. And just just by right of reference to this, so there are there the uh ladies room side has 12 um stalls plus sinks and the men's room has eight stalls and six stalls and
eight urinal. So this is much larger than the bathroom trailers that are out there now. Um so it will provide for decades of service to the residents and your beach goers >> and changing tables in both. >> Yes. >> There we go.
such a a busy beachfront there. So, it's it's much >> needed. A lot of families >> so much. >> And it also includes a family bathroom. >> Oh, yes. >> So, in addition to the men's and men's
and women's room, it has a a separate standalone family, too. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Okay, moving on to a quick summary of the new resolutions tonight that we're voting on. Uh we're approving a shared service agreement with Wall for leaf recycling. We've been using their
service already. Wall has a leaf farm. Um several of our shore towns um use them to dispose of their leaves and we've been doing that for the past few years as well. Thankfully, uh director MTO um helped me understand that a few days ago. Um and so this is just having
another service agreement with them. And then formerly known as SCAT, we're renewing our agreement with the county of Mammoth for ride and Mammoth transportation services for our seniors and people with disabilities. Uh there's also a resolution awarding the contract for the Dempsey Park improvements and
that's all grant money that has been secured. Uh and then every year we're able to transfer funds from appropriations that have available balances to those that do not during the last two months of the fiscal year. So we'll be able to pass that as well. Uh, does anyone here have any questions on
the resolutions? >> Is there anyone who has anything else for workshop? April, have we received any petitions? >> I have not minutes. >> Can I have a motion to approve the minutes of the October 28th meeting?
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Councilman Donovan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kenny, >> yes. Council Rodo, >> yes. >> Councilman Levice, >> yes. >> Okay, wonderful. We're on to reports of council. Councilwoman Donovan, you want to start?
>> Council President, um I I want to echo uh Council President's remarks this morning and just thank both staff and everyone else involved for the beautiful Veterans Day ceremony this morning. Um just thank you there. You have so many veterans in
Belmar. And I also want to take a moment to thank our council president again for the banner program that she started and that I know our residents love so much. We all do. I've been noticing all day on social media residents posting photos of their loved ones. Um and I think it's a
wonderful thing you've done. I really do. Thank you. Um, the environmental commission is right now still capturing data on our energy spending and utilization for our community energy plan and our ongoing sustainable journey Jersey
certification. So once that's complete, we'll be uh doing an audit for all the buildings and partnering with DPW and aligning with our key department leaders here at Burough Hall to understand their priorities and suggestions for the next energy plan focus areas. Um after that
there will we plan to do a community event to solicit feedback and further uh narrow our area of focus. Uh we are continuing work on patchwork for wildlife which is led by the incomparable Diane Val and John Gibbons
from Lake Ko. Um we are going to be recognizing eight yards this year up from six last year. So we uh are encouraged that more residents are uh practicing sustainable lawn practices like needle planting. Um the next environmental commission meeting is this
Thursday and that will be held jointly with shade tree at the library. Very exciting things. Um and the next harbor commission meeting is Tuesday the 18th. Thank you. >> Thank you Councilwoman Kenny. Thank you Council President Rondono. I would also
like to echo everybody's sentiments on all our veterans. I unfortunately was unable to make the ceremony this morning. I did hear it was a wonderful celebration and thank you to all of our veterans. And thank you again, Maria, for the banners. It is such a wonderful
thing that we have up and down Main Street. I feel like I see more faces, veterans faces every year. So, it's it's just really nice. I I think that's great. Um, as as Councilwoman Donovan said, the Shade Tree and the Environmental Commission will be meeting
this Thursday. Um, I have a couple things. The Belar Elementary School is doing their lipsync contest Tuesday the 25th. Everyone's very excited about that. And their winter band choir is December 11th at 6:30. And then I have a
bunch of stuff from recreation. So the tree lighting is this year is on a Thursday, not a Saturday. It's Thursday, December 4th at 6:00 p.m. in Piano Plaza. The Manura lighting is December 15th at 6:30 p.m. in the Plaza. Scoops
for Santa will be held on Sunday, December 14th from 1 to 4:00 p.m. at Taylor Pavilion. Admission to this event is one unwrapped new toy. Uh the holiday light show at the plaza will take place on December 13th and December 20th. The
time has not been set yet by our company hosting the event. So, we will be posting that out on social media and letting everyone know as soon as Jenna from tourism um updates us with that. Um the Belo Chamber of Commerce will be hosting two events in December. One on
December 13th from 5:30 to 7:45. That's the Holly Trolley tour around town to look at all the holiday lights and the different houses in town. And then on the 13th and 14th, the chamber will be hosting a holiday market in the plaza, which is our very first one, I believe.
And that's very exciting. Um, and that will be from 8:00 a.m. to I'm sorry, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on December 14th. And uh, no, I lied. On December 13th, it's from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. And it will be held from on the 14th
from 11 to 4. And then lastly, I have beach badge sales. They go on sale December 1st, 9:00 a.m. inside Burough Hall. So, come out and get your beach badges. And they make lovely presents for Christmas. So, um, and after the 1st, you can get your badges. And that
is all I have. >> Thank you so much. Exciting things to do in Belmar. Councilman Leis. >> Thank you, Maria. Um, well, I guess I have to emphasize the uh the Veterans Day ceremony this morning. And I also want to thank, if it wasn't done already, the uh Belmont Elementary
School choir and uh the oldest lettuce daughter who participated in that. Um they really were good and that is always a moving moving event um if you can make it. So that's all I have. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you so much. Um I received status on the Fifth Avenue sewer project
um from DPW director MTO and they expect to be done with all the utilities in the first week of December um and will be back for painting in the spring. Is that is that right? Okay. Um there yes last night we had a code blue. Um please be
on the the lookout for these code blues. they get um put on by Mammoth or our um OEM and we will try to share them as as much as we see them, but they will give you information for warming centers um and make sure that people have a place
to go when the temperatures um are are too cold to be outside. Um a lot of people are having a hard time finding um food as it's increasingly expensive and we know we have the government shutdown as well. Um, we'll be posting online if
it isn't out already online. Today, Jen is going to be posting out local resources for assistance if you need any assistance with food pantries. And the Belmar Library has a holiday food drive uh running from November 21st supporting um First Presbyterian Church, Margie's
uh food pantry, and the West Belmar United Methodist Church's food pantry, which are both our closest food pantries. Um the BHA meeting um was the beginning of the month here and we are unfortunately having to go out for rebid
on the facade again. Um it the I'll tell you I I've been now in this for for three years and um the longer you wait the what I'm learning is the longer you wait on a project just the more expensive it is. and what you thought it was going to be 3 years ago is far from
the cost 3 years later. Um and so that it's a it's a very hard um and literally bitter lesson. Um but it looks like we're going to have to take the um the bid in stages um so that we can pay for the worst parts of the building first um
because the facade is just really uh problematic and we want to make sure that our residents there are safe. Um, there were some really good suggestions at the meeting of other ways to uh to fund these projects and legislators that
we can reach out to and I really hope that um we're able to successfully do that and that the board is able to um you know take this um very actively at this point as the longer we rebid it like I said the more expensive the
project seems to get. Um, and then the library had their meeting yesterday and they have some wonderful events planned um for the holidays. I'll have more uh better chance to talk about that our at our next meeting November 25th. But the library is doing a wonderful job in
making sure we have some new events um for the new year. Thanks, Next, we have public session on the resolutions. If anyone has a comment or a question about a resolution on the agenda, please step forward and state your name and address
for a resolution uh 2025-200. Well, that's a lot of resolutions. Um it's an agreement between the Burough Belar and Mammoth County uh ride
in Mammoth C and Mammoth uh senior citizen transport. Um, actually I'm all in favor of this uh during the uh pandemic. U I I used this service once and uh picked me up in a little bus
right out in front of my house. Uh drove me out to Freehold. Doctor came on uh came on the bus, gave me a shot back home. Great. Um, so I'm all in favor of this, but the resolution itself, if you would take a
look at paragraph uh, first paragraph actually, uh, whereas the bureau of Belmar has here before entered into an agreement with Mon County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Uh, can you please change
that? Uh, uh, they no longer use the term freeholders anymore. It sounds like freeloader. So, it's uh county commissioners and I think it's I think it's repeated twice there. U >> Thank you, Mr. Kmer. Actually, I think that we did change that, right, April?
So, you may have the original copy, but I had that exact note um and came to April and said, "Oh, we have to update this." So, you you have a a Unfortunately, it's not the updated resolution um because it does say Mammoth County um ride in Mammoth now.
But thank you for catching that because I felt the same way. >> Yeah, somebody may actually read it. They usually uh want a copy of a borrow resolution in order to fill out the paperwork.
Okay. Um second resolution. I have a question on here. Um resolution 2025-201. Uh this is the shared services agreement. uh with the Wall Township
and um uh I guess my my question is what are they actually doing with the leaves? >> I love this question. Thank you for for asking and I'll I'll see if I get it right and if I don't then I know Billy's
going to correct me. Um but the the leaves get picked up um and it costs a certain amount to to pick up the leaves. It's during the fall season. Um it is $7 per cubic yard. Um and if you look at
the trailers that they're usually filled in, it's about a 30 cubic foot trailer. And um last year there was about 11 of those trailers that were brought to wall and disposed, which is cheaper for us and more eco-friendly
um than having to dispose them here. >> Okay. Uh very good. Uh actually uh I I was just curious always looking for uh u you know helping the environmental
scorecard. Um are they using apparently uh with the new governor that we're going to have we're going to stay at least indications are that we're going to stay in the regional greenhouse gas initiative. Uh
is there anything being done uh not just disposal costs but actually how it's being disposed? Uh you know are there environmental benefits to this such as carbon se sequestration where we actually would get
environmental points for doing what we're doing. >> I I love the question of the environmental points and I'll see whether that's something that we can look into. um because that's that would be wonderful from what I understand is that it's raked in rows and they're
composted right there. So, I'm not sure that we get any of that um benefit. I'm sure the farm does. Um Billy, do you have any >> Well, not directly that question, but I'm pretty confident that we get points through sustainable Jersey, which opens
us up to more grants and funding. So, at a minimum, we would have that benefit. >> Okay. if there's somebody capturing that sort of I you know I'm sure the environmental commission is >> I'm happy to follow up with you.
Thank you very much. The last resolution if I have excuse me the last the last one u resolution 2025-205
a resolution awarding contract for Dempsey Dumpy Park Improvements Actually, this is this has been going on for quite a while. Uh, last time I commented on
this was uh uh July 11th of 2023. So, we're two and a half years. Um, in any case, uh, I'm not going to and the minutes of that meeting reflect my
comments. uh at the time. Um I guess my biggest concern with that is that um the property is contaminated and u are the contractors that we're going to
have working there are they hazmat trained just to make sure that we don't get into trouble here. >> Thank you. I would think that they're not digging, but um >> Jim, do you have a >> would love to pass that along to you.
>> Thank you. So, Mr. Kmer, yes, the contractor is required to um comply with all of the environmental regulations, have the proper certifications, and actually the work is going to be done under the oversight of a uh an LSRP. Um
both our office will have an LSRP overseeing that work as well as JCPNL because JCPNL is the responsible party for the site in terms of um the environmental contamination that exists there. The work is really limited to the
top layer of paving. Um there's only a small amount of area for Dempsey Park where um we're putting in new basketball goals that um we would have to or we would anticipate we might hit some material that was impacted in the past
and that is going to be accounted for, removed of and disposed of by JCPNL at their cost. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you so much. Any other questions on the resolutions? I have a motion to close the public session.
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Can I have a motion to adopt the resolutions as listed on the consent agenda? >> Make the motion. >> Second. >> Counciloman Donovan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kenny,
>> yes. >> Councilman Rono, >> yes. >> Councilman Levit, >> yes. Uh, next we have ordinance 202522, 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 um for first reading and introduction. Do we have a motion to offer the ordinance? >> Motion. Second. >> Council Donovan. >> Yes. >> Council McKenna. >> Yes. >> Council, yes. >> Councilman Leis,
>> yes. Okay, now we have the regular public session. If anyone would like to make a comment, please remember to state your name and address first. Good evening, council members and members of the public. My name is Susan Mckitis. I live in Atlantic Highlands,
but I'm here on behalf of Food and Water Watch. Food and Water Watch has brought together thousands of volunteers to fight for sustainable food, clean water, and a livable climate for all of us. We need your help. There are no blue or red
floods or heat waves. Every community in New Jersey is experiencing the growing costs of climate impacts. We need your help to get the bipartisan New Jersey Super Fund Act passed. A few important facts. New Jersey had the fifth highest
per capita spending on climate disasters in the nation with every county experiencing at least five disasters between 2011 and 2024. Sea levels are rising faster in New Jersey than most of the world and that's
according to the New Jersey DP. New Jerseyy's annual temperature has risen at twice the global average since 1990. The costs are staggering. The Super Fund Act would make New Jersey more affordable by assessing the largest
fossil fuel corporations for a fair share of the costs of muchneeded infrastructure improvements to address climate impacts. Accordingly, we urge you to join us in supporting the New Jersey Super Fund Act S545A4696.
I'm hoping you all received my email earlier today. Um, we have two important requests. We are asking you and your council colleagues to personally sign on a letter calling on our governor and legislative leadership to pass the legislation.
Important detailed information has been provided to you uh in a reference in that link. We are also asking that you consider passing a resolution in support of the super fund act at your next council meeting. I have provided a sample resolution for your consideration. I hope you receive that
as well. As a coastal community, you know better than most the costs of climate change are increasing each year. Federal cuts to infrastructure funding and emergency response compound the problem. We need new funding sources like the New Jersey Climate Super Fund
Act to ensure that local governments are appropriately resourced for adaptation and resiliency. If approved, this is an opportunity for local municipalities to get needed funding at no cost to taxpayers.
That's why we're asking municipal and county elected officials to sign on to the letter that will be delivered in the govern to the governor and legislative leadership later this fall urging them to make this bill a priority and get it passed before the end of the 2024 to
2026 legislative session which ends on January 133 I'm sorry 2026 the support for the new the super fund bill continues to grow the New Jersey climate super Fund Act has already garnered the sponsorship of 52 New
Jersey legislators and passed out of both the Senate and Assembly Environment Committees. At the local level, 56 municipalities and two counties in New Jersey have passed resolutions in support of the bill with more on the
way. We are hoping Belar will be added to that list. Please join us in adding your name to this letter via the email I sent to you or by signing a paper copy that I have with me tonight. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at any time. I think you all have my
telephone number. Thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you so much and thank you for highlighting this legislation so we can look further into it. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. Yes. Hello, Neil Sheff from uh 4th Avenue.
I'd like to bring to the council's attention an article from the uh Atlantic City, excuse me, the Aspberry Park Press from October 29 by Jerry Corino. Uh supporters rally for
restaurant owner. Uh there's a uh a restaurant in Atlantic Highlands, speaking of Atlantic Islands, called Zoe's Ailio's Kitchen. And these two brothers came from Mexico
and they worked in a restaurant in Atlantic Islands for seven years. And uh they started their own restaurant. It was very popular. And then one day,
uh, Roberto, one of the brothers, was heading to work when he passed by the, uh, St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church parking lot and there were ICE agents there waiting
to pick up some immigration suspect. and they saw Ruperto and they saw that he looked like a Mexican. So they arrested him and he is now in the Lady Hall in Newark, the facility that the
Congress people cannot get into uh to inspect as they are required by their jobs as members of Congress. But uh well, it turns out what really got my
attention is that the brothers after the success of their first restaurant, they decided to open a second version of their restaurant, Alio's Kitchen in Bomar on Main Street, 1006 Main Street.
And they uh now Amelio Vincense while his brother Roberto is in prison. He said he's keeping both restaurant locations open for now. But if Roberto's detention continues, he may have to
close the Belmar spot at least temporarily. Now up in uh may I approach and hang this? Thank you. >> Uh up in Atlantic Highlands, the mayor
uh started a GoFundMe campaign and with a goal of $100,000 and have raised over $96,000. So, they've received a great outpouring of support because the brothers are loved up there and the people love their
restaurant. And Roberto has a wife and three small children. And now he's sitting in a torture chamber in Newark run by a for-profit company with connections to the administration in Washington. And I
don't think it's right. And I would like to show Amelia all the support that we can in Belmar to show them that we have got a a friendly, welcoming community here just as much as the people in the
Atlantic Highlands have. So any help that the council members or any members of the community or anybody out there listening in radio land can give to Amelio's Kitchen at 1006 Main Street in Belmar. I'm sure the brothers would
greatly appreciate it. So thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Shack. And I share your concern. Um I'm grateful that Amelio's um has opened here. I hear wonderful things about their food. Um, they do have a uh ribbon cutting scheduled for
November 21st. Um, do we know what time that is? 12:30. >> Okay. We'll we'll double check and make sure that we really boost that out. Um, and make sure that the community can support um, Amelios. And I do hear that
it's a wonderful restaurant. Um, so any thank you for coming up, letting us know what's going on. I know their Atlantic Highlands family is supporting them strongly and hopefully we can too. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. I forgot to say I had a chicken burrito. It was the best
chicken burrito I ever had in my long life. So I recommend. Thank you. >> Hi Greg Mana 14th Avenue. I just wanted to say thank you very much. Thank you. both of you very much. I didn't see you on the ballot, but I saw you on the ballot. I'm a little disappointed that
you weren't um uh reelected. Um but I'm hoping that um that the new people coming in will do as nice a job as you guys did. Very much appreciated. Thank you. >> Else can I have a motion to close the public session and adjourn the meeting?
>> Motion. Nice. >> All in favor? I