No, it didn't sound like Byebye. I'd like to welcome everybody to our April 1st Bergen City Council meeting. Please rise for the flag salute. United States of America and to the standing
prayer. >> Heavenly Father, in this season of Easter hope and Passover freedom, fill our hearts with peace, renewal, and gratitude. Bless our community with peace, our homes with love, and our hearts with understanding for one
another. Help us to bring light where there is darkness and to walk together in love and unity. In your name we pray. Amen. Please be seated. >> Exact. Thank you. At this time, I'm going to
turn it over to Councilman Dennis Haney for a presentation. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, recently a district of mine, Thirdwood resident by the name of Mike Docker, reached out to me. He is friends with a person who was
recently diagnosed with ALS, amotropic lateral sclerosis, uh, commonly known also as disease. He asked that we could make a proclamation for May and it being ALS awareness month, which it has been for
quite some time now. So, it's a it's a beautiful thing. We're going to uh we're going to do that. We certainly wish the best to Mike's friend and his challenges that he's going to have uh up the road here. uh all of us or majority of us probably
known someone in one way, shape or form who uh has been affected by someone with this uh very severe deadly condition. And uh I mean myself personally speaking, my next door neighbor contracted it. Uh he was a great guy, loved us growing up, lived right next
door to us, his name is Jim Mean, he's a World War II veteran and uh really good friends with my younger brother. I mean, they stayed really tight and uh I'm a very broad strong guy and uh it really
what it can do to somebody is uh you know it affects the uh neurons with in the brain and spinal cord when people lose their strength coordination and you know all those other things associated with that. But um I just saw him from knowing what he was what became and I
saw him in a wheelchair. I was living down here. I came up and I went over and visit him and uh it it's tough. So, uh, if we can put the word out there for others to, uh, to to support ALS in
whatever way they can and also, uh, our state government, there used to be some money allocated to res uh, resources to help those affected, afflicted with this, uh, disease. And I know that, uh, there were some budgetary cuts across
the board with certain things. And, uh, helping with ALS was one of them. used to be about 1.5 million a year or something of that nature. It's not quite that same amount now. So, whatever can be done at all levels. So,
without further ado, um like I said, everyone might everybody's heard of this Pride of the Yankees big movie Gary Cooper playing Luke Garrick who uh back in uh I guess uh 1937 or whatever he contracted that for the year year and a half maybe he was he was gone. So, um
just It's just to put it in a nutshell I mean that's how devastating this disease can be. Whereas amotrophic lateral sclerosis also known as luperic's disease and ALS is a progressive fatal neurodeenerative
disease in which a person's brain loss connection with their muscles slowly reducing the person's ability to walk, talk, eat and eventually breathe. And whereas ALS is no known cure and each year thousands of Americans are
diagnosed with this devastating disease impacting not only not only those living with ALS but also their families, caregivers and communities. And whereas the ALS association is committed to making ALS livable and curing it for everyone everywhere through adv
advocacy, research, care services and public awareness efforts. And whereas increased public awareness and education about ALS are essential to advancing understanding, supporting those affected, and encouraging continued research toward improved treatments and
ultimately a cure. And whereas the city of Brigantine recognizes the courage and resilience of individuals living with ALS honors the dedication of their families and caregivers and acknowledges the efforts of medical professionals, researchers and advocacy organizations
working tirelessly on the behalf on their behalf. And whereas designating the month of May as ALS awareness month provides an opportunity to raise awareness, inspire compassion, and reaffirm our community's commitment to
supporting those affected by ALS. Now therefore, I Dennis Haney, on behalf of Vinca, mayor of city of Brigantine, and on behalf of the city council and the people of the city of Brigantine, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as ALS
awareness month and the city of Briantine encouraging all residents to join in raising awareness of ALS and supporting the fight against this disease. Thank you. Actually, I'd like to ask if uh council uh Dennis
up front. Grab a picture. So, I just want to say something real quick. It's ironic that we have this proclamation tonight because just got off the phone with a cousin of mine uh that I live with for 10 years up in New York and it was diagnosed with MLS and
uh I was I was literally crying on the phone and uh told me about um one site here healing.org. Uh there have been some reversals and there's a lot of good information on
there. 47 steps uh in this uh on this site like prayer, positive thinking, uh supplements uh
yeah so I can't believe thank you healing alals.org. Hey, just a when Mike told me this, uh, I just I just remembered uh before I got here today, I got the Phillies game on and they mentioned one of their workers. I can't remember his exact title, but he was, you know, very involved for many
years with the Phillies. Uh, he his name is Joe Figueroa and uh they just announced that he he's fighting. Gosh. But uh yeah, God bless. God bless all those people who areffect. Do we have an executive session tonight?
>> No, mayor. No executive session. Need our approval. George seems disappointed. We need our approval of our March 18th, 2026 council meeting minutes. A motion second. >> I'll make that motion. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Need our approval of our bill requisition list. We have a motion and second. >> I'll second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, we
have roll call. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> At this time, we'll open it up for public comment. This is public comment on agenda items only. Seeing no public participation, we're
going to close the public portion. At this time, we have ordinance number six of 2026. Uh this is an introduction. This is an ordinance amending chapter 105 beaches and recreational area of the revised
general ordinance of the city of Brigantine. We have a motion second. >> So move second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> We have ordinance number 2026-97. Um this is a resolution of the city of Brigantine County Atlantic New Jersey introducing the 2026 municipal budget to be read by title only. We have a motion and second. >> All right. At this time, I'll turn it
over to our city manager, Tiger Plat. Thank you, mayor. City manager is required by statute to deliver to the mayor and city council a budget document for the preparation of the annual municipal budget. This presentation of the city budget to the
governing body commences the formal budget process under the control of the mayor and city council. This open meeting allows for transparency in the process as well as an opportunity to report to taxpayers and residents the manager's budget recommendations. The CFO Al Stanley received budget
requests from each department head. We have reviewed each department's request and worked together to prepare and collect the data for the budget document. We have worked with city auditor Leon Costello to verify compliance with the state of New Jersey spending caps law, the tax levy cap law,
and other budget regulations. The city manager's proposed operating budgets are compliant with the tax levy cap law and the spending caps law. I am recommending this year at the conclusion of my introduction of the manager's budget that the mayor and council move
to introduce the budget this evening as presented. The mayor and city council will have ample time to review the budget in detail prior to the public hearing and adoption anticipated on May 6th, at which time an amendment can be introduced if changes are necessary.
This year is a self-exam budget. Since 1977, municipal budgets have been prepared in compliance with the spending cap law. In 2010, the tax levy cap law was established, and the city manager's recommended budget is in
compliance with both caps. The city's percentage of tax collection continues to be strong in 2026 at 99.46%. This budget reflects a conservative approach to the anticipation of revenues.
Salaries and wages total $16,679,456 which includes required contractual commitments, anticipated increase in seasonal employees and minimum wage. Other expenses total 9,984,391 and represents the OE from all departments along with insurance and
utility costs. Statutory and deferred charges amount to $4,714,483. Level debt service continues to be an important initiative of this administration. The 2026 municipal portion of debt is 4 million534,535.
Reserve for uncollected taxes is a calculation based upon the entire levy of the city including county and school taxes. The calculation this year remains conservative and is based upon the current local purpose tax levy and an estimate of the school and county taxes
as well as the prior year collection rate. The 2026 increase is approximately $98,834. In summary, the manager's to uh 2026 current fund budget as presented here tonight totals $39,558,230.
It represents a conservative approach to revenue projection and includes both the increases and decreases in the respective department budgets and other operating expenses. Based on the 2026 city assessed value, a penny on the tax
rate equals $357,923. The proposed local purpose tax rate will increase 5.70 cents with a 2026 rate of 77.90 cents per $100 of assessed value. For reference, the tax rate in 2014 was
71.1. The water and sewer utility budget is supported by the billings and fees charged for the consumption of water by individual customers. Water and sewer utility as presented has a proposed balance budget for 2026 and maintains a
self-liquidating status. As such, any capital bond ordinance is approved will not require a 5% down payment. The capital budget included in the 2026 budget is a six-year plan for the city. This capital budget represents a total
of potential capital improvements of approximately $21,29,200 over a six-year period. The water and sewer will require a significant investment over the next six years due to the aging of infrastructure and statemandated requirements.
In closing, the city's budget in 2026 once again is managed in a professional and fiscally sound manner. This has been achieved through long-term budgeting and projections, maintaining proper allocation methods and sound financial records while providing the necessary reserves for future expenditures. As
always, I am available to meet with mayor and city council to review the budget and provide any additional information necessary. I would like once again to thank the city employees and the department heads for their service and dedication to the city of Riotine and for their assistance in the budget
preparation process. I continue to be thankful for their support as well as their ability to work together to continue to provide the level of service expected by our residents. Also, I would like to thank Al Stanley, the finance department, and city auditor Leon
Costello for their help and inputs in the development of the city manager recommended budgets. As I stated at the beginning of this presentation, I now ask mayor and council to consider introducing this budget this evening, keeping in mind that any questions or concerns can be addressed from this
point on and until the public hearing on May 6, should any changes be required, an amendment will be presented for approval to reflect these changes. Thank you, mayor. Thank you. >> Tonight, we're introducing a budget that is focused on strengthening Brigantine's
financial position, reducing our reliance on debt, and helping to minimize future tax increases. I want to be very clear about what we are doing here. This budget is not just about addressing this year's costs. It's about putting together a long-term financial
strategy in place. The most important thing to understand in this budget is that we are starting to change how we fund projects going forward. A key part of that strategy is creating a dedicated line item to begin paying down debt and
funding future capital improvements. In the 2026, we will raise about $336,000 towards that effort. Over time, that will allow us to rely less on borrowing for smaller projects and better manage
our overall debt. We are taking these steps now so we can control costs more effectively in the future. At the same time, like every municipality in New Jersey, we are dealing with rising costs of utilities, health care, and wages. We
are actively working with state uh with state leaders on utility costs which are impacting both our residents and our operations. We have taken steps to manage healthc care expenses by participating in a coastal health insurance fund instead of
the state plan. That decision has saved our taxpayers a significant amount of money. If we were in the state plan, our increase this year would have been nearly double what we're paying today. Even with these challenges, we are continuing to invest in our important
priorities like roads, beaches, flood mitigation, and recreation. So, the goal of this budget is simple. Address today's cost pressures while putting a plan in place that will strengthen our finances and help limit future tax
increases. And I want to put this in a little bit of perspective because I think we have a good budget and our city manager talked about this a little earlier. In 2014, our tax rate was 71.1 cents on the 100. 12 years later, our
increase is only 6.8. We're going from 71.1 to 77.9. We had a number of years where we cut taxes, reduced taxes. We are holding the line. I want to say better than anybody.
But we are continuing to put budgets in place that position us to be strong in the future. And that is what this budget's about. I want to thank our city manager. I want to thank our CFO, our financial team, all our department heads, and our city employees for the
outstanding work they do holding the line on taxes and holding the line on expenses. It's time to open it up. This time I'll open it up if there's any questions or comments from council. All right. Seeing none, uh, can we have
roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-98. Sorry. 98. This is a resolution authorizing the city of Brigantine tax collector to
prepare and mail estimated tax bills in accordance with PL 1994 C73. We have a motion second. >> So move. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-9. This is a resolution amending um authorized vehicles to be sorry sorry procured with enterprise fleet management brantine New Jersey. The
total cost of the vehicles shall be $173,28 for the uh F-150 truck and $50,389 for the F250. We have a motion and second >> questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call? Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-100. This is a resolution of the city of Brigantine accepting grant funding for the 2026 Cops and Shops summershore
initiative. Have a motion. Second. >> So move. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-101. This is a resolution authorizing a contract for vegetation and fertilizer services with True Green LP in the amount of $41,660. We have a motion and second. >> Second.
>> Questions or comments? Sync? None. Can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mayor Sarah. >> Yes. Resolution 2026-102. This is a resolution authorizing an
employment agreement for the head golf professional services at Brigantine Golf Links. We have a motion second. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-103. This is a resolution authorizing a contract for reimbursement for damaged fence from snowplow operations in the amount of $175.84.
Motion and second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-104.
Uh this is a resolution state of the reads weird. Uh yeah, it just I know it's a grant. It just reads weird when the state happens. So this is a resolution the state of New Jersey NJ
Department of Law and Public Safety offices for the Attorney General Safe and Secure Communities Program. We have motion second. >> So moved. Second. >> Sorry. The state resolutions title different arts. I get rid of how I read ours and I'm like, wait, those aren't
the right words. All right, so we had a motion for a second. Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-105. This is a resolution authorizing asbestous abatement and boiler replacement at the police department in the amount of $10,900. We have a motion and second. >> I'll make that question. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-106. This is a resolution authorizing the repair of the pickle ball and tennis courts. This in the amount of 14,000.
The motion second. >> Now, we're happy to move this forward. A few of the uh pickle ball players out there reached out to us, sent us some pictures of some damage. The winter was very, very harsh on the courts, caused some cracking or worsen some of the cracking that was out there. So, I'm
very glad we're able to get a contractor in. The goal is to have this up and ready by the season. So, we're moving on this as fast as we can. So, I'm glad to see this one forward so quick. Thank you, John. Appreciate it. Motion second. We have roll call.
>> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Next up, we have our consent agenda. We have our Brigantine Beach Volleyball Association for various states. The motion second. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. Next up, we have our council manager committee discussions. Tiger, >> mayor, I'd just like to announce my
resignation. It was April 1st. Sorry. >> I Karen, you weren't supposed to laugh so quick. >> I know probably a lot of excitement, but Yeah. >> Nothing that nothing else.
>> Did you see them all jumping to make the motion to accept? >> Sounds like it worked. >> I will not be making said comments. >> Turn over to our department heads for us. turn over to our deputy mayor.
>> I'm gonna go. >> None of you are allowed to leave here. >> I know how this works. >> All right. First, I'd like to welcome Mrs. Phillips back. It's been a long winter since we've all been shut in, and it's good to see you back with us.
Yes. Um, I want to thank everyone involved in the budget process for all the hours that you've all put into it. Uh, I'm sure this is going to be, you know, like said, making us stronger in the future. Um, we had a rec commission
board last week and one of the major things was part of discussion was biblical and I'm sure they're be all very happy to hear that. And I want to wish everybody a happy Passover, happy Easter. Be safe.
See you in a couple weeks. Paul everything said the third order. Thank you. I'm not saying um please don't forget we have um fish fry this Friday at the Elks. So Good Friday fish fry the annual events been
going on for about 30 years now. Uh Ernest and Sons will be doing the food this year with rave reviews. Everything that that Mel has been doing has been tremendous. So 4 to 8 p.m. this
Friday obviously fish heavy also hoping that right baseball opening day 18 couple weeks calendar after that and then this is in not till May but I want
everyone I mention it every year on drugs that the does that supports our youth we send um youth to a conference and it's for high school age, but we also said middle school age kids
talk about addiction and talk about smoking and talk about all kinds of other things that would lead them down the wrong path before they get to high school and before the the broader drug related things are introduced into their lives. So this is a fundraiser we do at
the Yorks each year. the council usually walks and the funds raised to send Brigantine kids to this conference. >> Thank you. Thanks to everybody for coming out tonight
Cultural Arts Commission. having a big day on April 25th. Frank Sinatra show at the co. Tickets are 45 a person and uh great dinner and entertainment. So mark your calendars April 25th.
Other than that, have a great happy Passover. Thank you. I'd like to wish everybody a happy Passover. Passover started tonight. everybody happy Easter on Sunday. A couple board appointments uh to our
planning board. Need a motion and second to appoint Frank Pabis to the planning board. >> All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Seeing none. Motion pass. Welcome to the planning board. >> Uh next up we have a school board
appointment. I would like to appoint or reappoint Helen Kaufman and Shannon Fitzgerald. their positions. So, we'll make that appointment. Good to go. At this time, we'll open it up to the public. Uh public comment, please state your name and address for
the record. That's John. >> John Johnson, 36 Beach Drive. Uh, I noticed in my driveway, concrete driveway, a box painted out around the water valve and a note was left or a notice was left in my door saying that
they were going to explore, I guess, the lead pipe issue by digging down there and phone number if you had any questions. I called him up. Very nice young lady answered. I said that my thought would be if you're going to do
it and there's a car in the drive, please knock on the door so we can move the car. She said yes, I'll load it. Uh beyond that until it happens if in Coke or any other area if it is galvanized or
lid and needs to be replaced what action or time frame will the city take from the exploration and finding of the result. >> Yeah John I don't have the exact timeline but that's so the island was
broken up into 10 zones. They're doing exploratory work in zones nine and 10 which are the last ones and the reason we're doing the work there is we actually believe that a lot of those lines are not >> the exploratory work would show that we
would have to submit to the D and then they can from the project. So that's actually what the work is doing. We've actually been in contact with your board at Coke Beach to make sure that they understand what's going on and what the process is and um hopefully we'll have more information soon, but it won't be
anything immediate because we're going to start obviously in zones one or two. So, you could be several years out if it's found there. >> Good. Longer the better. Thank you. >> Longer the better. I hear it. My other question is seeing that there's going to be asbestous abatement and boiler work
here. Is there any more asbestous left in city owned buildings in Brigitton? Do we know about that? I'm not sure. Turn it over to director of public works. >> Not familiar. Yes. Well, I hope so. And I thought that
was already removed everywhere. So, if it's still here, sooner the better for the safety of those who work around it. Happy Easter. Passover. Thank you. And Tiger, you certainly shocked us. If there's no other public comment, we'll close the public portion. Any
final council comments? I see none, we have a motion and second to adjurnn. Second. >> All in favor? >> Any oppose? See none. Motion pass. Thank you for coming out watching your council team at work.