What's happening? Guys, ready? I'd like to welcome everybody to our March 4th city council meeting. Please rise for the flag salute. remaining prayer. >> Heavenly Father, we come together
longing for peace in our world. Where there is hatred, bring love. Where there is violence, bring healing. Where there is division, bring understanding. Comfort those who suffer. Guide our leaders with wisdom. Make us instruments
of peace in our homes, our communities, and across the world. In your name we pray. Amen. >> Please be seated. >> And can you read the open public meetings act announcement? >> Notice that this meeting has been
provided as required by the open public meetings act. Up down. Sorry, technical difficulties. All right. Well, they're figuring that out. We're good. I'd like to welcome all of our students and all of our families here tonight to Bridgetine City Council
meeting uh to honor our Noodle Mania team. I can tell you I know the kids work very very hard for this and study and it's an incredible competition. Uh you see the kids competing against 24 different teams and the depth of knowledge that they need to know to be successful is really impressive. I know
over the last few years they've been successful in getting this best sportsmanship uh best dance team and uh most school spirit and I think this year they were able to take third place overall which is an incredible comp uh accomplishment in that competition. So on behalf of the city we're very proud
of you. I think you guys need a big round of applause. I think it's an incredible example of um all the great things that are going on within our school. There's a lot of good things going on there. There's a lot of teachers who really care about our students and I think probably the number
one most important thing is the families. You can't find success, especially as a young person. It makes it very challenging if you don't have the love and support of your family. So for all the families out there, thank you for all you do. And for uh Miss Amy Seaman, I know how hard you work over at the school and especially with the team.
I know one of my daughter's favorite things at school is being on the think day team. And um so many kids that I hear talk about how much fun that you make class what an incredible teacher you are. So we're very proud of you and all you do for the students. So Andy, thank you.
So, when I call your names, if you guys could come up and um stay up here for a picture or two, but we're going to present you with your certificate from the city. We have uh Dalton Palmer, Isa, she's very sweet. She was going to give it back.
Nell Kennedy, Adam Har, Claire Cooker, Luca Anton and Miss Amy Se. >> Actually, council, if you guys don't mind, can we come take a picture with all the students? >> Absolutely. That's
great. Terrorist take a Five minute recess motion. Second. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any oppos? See none. We're going to take a fiveminute recess. People want to take pictures, come hang out. We'll give you guys some time.
Likewise, you don't Hey, get up there. >> Got the dab. You can do it. Do it. >> Doing the microphone. >> Does it work? >> Yes. >> Wait, does it >> Do it. Do it.
>> Order in the court. >> Order in the court. >> Order. >> Thomas, my daughter >> is accused of being. >> If anybody, please say I. >> Off with his head.
>> Yeah. All in favor? All in favor of going HOME RIGHT NOW? >> YEAH. LET'S DO IT. >> CLOSER TO A TURN. OKAY. >> On to the cold. Let's go. >> Yeah. >> Let's go. Ice cream.
>> That was great. >> That is fun forever. >> That was right here. >> That was worth that. We'll get that on the front page of the times. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. Get these pictures.
worked on 65. So, six Oh my god. Okay. Hi, Tiger. How are you? We're getting a picture. How are you? Good. How are you? Oh, it's good. >> Come on, drag this one out. >> Great job. >> Thanks,
I'm getting ready. >> Is that All right. Do we have a motion and second to resume the meeting? I'll make that motion. >> All in favor? I. Any opposed? Seeing none, we're going to resume the meeting. Tiger, executive session.
>> No executive session there. >> We need approval for our February 18th, 2026 Burggantine City Council meeting minutes. Motion >> second. >> I got a motion second. Uh questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll
call? Yes. >> Yes. >> Kane, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> Approval of our bill requisition list. We have a motion. Second. >> So, I'll make the motion.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have a roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> This time we'll open it up for public comment. This is on any agenda item.
Anybody wishing to be heard from the public, please come up. State your name and address for the record. Seeing no public comment, we're going to close the public comment. Uh first up, we have our public hearing and adoption for the following ordinances. We have uh ordinance number
two of 2026. This is an ordinance of the city of Brigantine, County of Atlantic, state of New Jersey, repealing and replacing article 1, chapter 85-1 through 85-22, title affordable housing in the code of the city of Brigantine.
We have a motion and second move. >> Second. This time we'll open it up for a public hearing. Anybody wishing to be heard from the public? Seeing no public participation, close the public portion. Any council comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Amy, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mayor Sarah, >> yes. >> Ordinance number three of 2026. This is an ordinance of the city of Brigantine County Atlantic State of New Jersey
amending article 6 chapter 85 through 24 85-25 and 85-26 title affordable housing overlay in the code of the city of Brigantine. Have a motion and second. >> So moved. >> Second. >> At this time we'll open it up for a
public hearing. Anybody wishing to be heard, please come up. State your name and address for the record. Seeing no public participation, we're going to close the public portion. Any council comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> Ordinance number four of 2026. This is an ordinance of the city of Brigantine Council, City of Brigantine, County of Atlantic, State of New Jersey, amending
chapter 198, article 6, section 198-50.1 titled affordable housing overlay B1 zone, section 198-51.3 titled affordable housing overlay B1A and section 198-54
titled affordable housing overlay P3 zone home in the code of the city of Brigant team. We have a motion and second. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> At this time, we'll open it up for public hearing. Anybody wishing to be heard of this ordinance, please come up. State your name and address for the
record. Seeing no public participation, we're going to close the public portion. Any council comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes.
Ordinance number five of 2026. This is an ordinance of the city of Brigantine County of Atlantic stated New Jersey repealing and replacing chapter 150 sections 150-1 through 150-10 development fees in the code of the city
of Brigantine. You have a motion and second. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> This time we'll open it up for a public hearing. Anybody wishing to be heard, uh, please state come up and state your name and address for the record. Seeing no public participation, we're going to
close the public portion. Any council comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> All right. We have resolution
2026-74. This is a resolution adopting the spending plan pursuant to the fourth round affordable housing compliance. We have a motion and second move. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call?
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Julia, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mayor Sarah, >> yes. >> We have resolution 2026-75. This is a resolution endorsing the amended fourth round housing element
fair share plan. The motion second. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Julia, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mayor Sarah, >> yes.
>> Resolution 2026-76. This is a resolution adopting the affirmative market manual pursuant to the fourth round affordable housing compliance with a motion. Second >> second. >> Questions or comments? >> Seeing none, we have roll call.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Julio, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> Resolution 2026-77. This is a resolution authorizing the implementation and expenditures for
affordable housing assistance program. Have a motion and second. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah,
>> yes. >> Resolution 2026-78. This is a resolution authorizing the board of contract for professional property appraisals, Inc. for tax appeal and consulting. This is the amount of not to exceed 19,000. Have a motion. Second move.
>> Second. >> Questions or comments? >> Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Julio, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> Resolution 2026-79.
This is a resolution authorizing a contract with Knox company for security for security safe and system for the fire department. This is the amount of $13,641. Motion second. >> So move second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Julio, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> Resolution 2026-80. This is a resolution authorizing the tax
collector to issue refunds. We have a motion second. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Terry, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Julio, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> She carried.
>> Resolution 2026-81. This is a resolution authorizing the board of contract to Fred Habone Construction, Inc. for check valve insulation at six storm water outfall pipes not to exceed 79,350. Motion second. So move.
>> Second. >> Uh big part of this is our flood resiliency. Uh public works has been working really hard at keeping water off the island. These check valves will definitely add to that. It's been a great program that we've had in place. Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call? >> Yes. Terry? >> Yes. >> Yes. Julio. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> Tiger was no there. >> 2020. Uh, so we have resolution 2026-82.
This is a resolution authorizing the award of contract to Lexia Concrete LLC for the CDBG pedestrian improvements to West Beach Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. This is in a not to exceed amount of $197,525.
We have a motion and second. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. Terry, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Julio, >> yes. >> Kay, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes.
>> Resolution 2026-83. This is a resolution authorizing the board of contract to Fred Shabone Construction, Inc. for parking lot repair and line striping in various locations not to exceed $54,950. Motion second.
>> I'll make that motion. >> Questions or comments? >> Seeing none, we have roll call. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-8.
Sorry. Resolution number 84 of 2026. This is a resolution supporting the Senate resolution number 106 uh to determine that the NJ's proposed coastal regulations are inconsistent with legislative intent. Have a motion
and second. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> And for people who aren't familiar, this has to do with NJPAC New Jersey real regulations. And this is where the state's coming in and trying to change the flood elevations for the homes. Put a bunch of regulations in place. This
was signed into law by Murphy on literally his last day of office. One of the major issues with these regulations that they didn't follow the proper legislative path. There's a number of counties that have filed litigation against the state. Uh this is a
bipartisan bill sponsored by both Republicans and Democrats calling on the governor, our new governor to recall this and either take it through the proper pro process or move in a different direction. All right. Uh questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. Next up, we have our consent agenda. This is for the women's surf fishing tournament. June 6, 2026. The
2026 opening day parade for Brigantine baseball and softball on April 18, 2026. St. Patrick's Day parade, March 14th, 2026. Elks raffle license number 1142. Temple Beth Shalom raffle license
numbers 1143 and 1144 and Elks raffle license number 1145. We have a motion second. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can we have roll call? >> Yes. Terry, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Julio, >> yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> All right. So, we're going to open up for uh public um sorry, our council manager committee discussions. turn. >> Hi, Mayor. Um, I'd like to uh recognize
um some crews and some teams and some individuals for what they did with this past storm, this blizzard that we had. Um haven't had a storm like this in a long time. And our public works, fire department, police department, they really all came together as a unified
group to make sure that the island was was kept safe. Um could have been a lot worse. I know our public works crews when I met with them on Tuesday around lunchtime at the community center, some of those guys were going on 30 plus hours straight of uh working and in the
plow trucks and uh trying to keep the streets as clear as possible. Um obviously this was a wind driven event as uh we have frequently but not with that much snow. Um, so they were very busy keeping the main arteries open so our police and fire could, you know, get off the island if the fire need to go to
the uh take patients to the hospital and uh as they clear turn around, they have to do it again because it was already covered up again. Um, uh, Kristen down CER along with Jen Zuba uh, getting that opened up as a warming center because it was a lot of
properties without power. Um, and of course, police and fire who were out responding. And, uh, but I really want to highlight uh, Jen Zuba, who is here. Uh, this she just became our emergency management coordinator uh, as as the lead. She was our deputy for a while.
Now, she's our our lead uh, on January 1. And, uh, in in the last two months of hers, we've had multiple events that where we've relied on emergency management. And I have to say, uh, she did an amazing job. Absolutely
phenomenal job. So, I'd like to publicly thank you for all the hard work you're doing down there. You're doing great. >> And I know she's going to give uh she asked to come to the meeting tonight just to give a couple minutes. What you said 30 minutes with the presentation you had. Uh, you know, a couple minutes
just to go over uh what she saw from her end. Uh, so when we get down there, I'm looking forward to hearing what she has to say, but thank you again. >> Again, I just want to echo Tiger's uh comments, too. I think uh public works did an outstanding job with the storm.
You know, John, thank you for everything that you've done, everything that your department did. It's not easy dealing with a storm like this. You guys did a great job. Um, same thing I know with uh police, fire, OEM, outstanding job here in the island. Very, very proud of everyone. And I know I heard from a lot
of people who actually ended up using the community center as a warming station. Uh power was out on the island. I think at one point we had over 1,600 homes without power and um some people were out for more than 48 hours and having the community center open. I know that all of you guys worked to
coordinate that especially with our um staff down at the community center. It was a lifesaver. And uh a couple of emails and some good stuff up on uh social media about how grateful people were and how incredible our staff was just making people feel comfortable
having place to go while they waited for the electricity to come back on. So thank you all very much. Turn it over. Absolutely. >> So from the OEM side, you guys basically touched on most of my talking points. Um
but from the OEM standpoint, we were the coordination hub um to especially where it came with the situational needs where it extended beyond the capabilities of what the typical response was for police, fire, public works. OEM was
basically the catchall. Um our focus was maintaining continuity of operations, the situational awareness. um putting that out to all the department heads and the officers in charge and just that continuous interdep departmental communications making sure we were all on the same page. Uh in addition to the
warming center, our EOC was open um from 1:00 p.m. Sunday through 900 p.m. Wednesday night and during that time we addressed also residential concerns for the snow removal and power outages. In total, uh OEM has 110 manh hours in
counting. Uh because now that we're in the recovery phase, we just finished submitting our public disaster uh assessment for the damage during the storm for the uh what they call the category B for snow removal uh to see if we can get a disaster declaration. Uh
and other than that, we coordinated with police fire to have residents come out of their houses where they couldn't because of the snow. And we partnered with Acme, Wawa North, and Lassana. uh they supported our logistical needs um through the storm. So just thank you to
John Doring Chiefs. Um you guys are great. So thank you Tiger. >> Jen again thank you for all you did. I think this storm really kind of showed two things like one how important that OEM position is and two I think it really was a incredible opportunity to
see the leadership that you had through that storm too. So thank you very much. Um, I'd like to just uh add on to all these comments. Thank you to John Doran and his crew PD for helping us out. Um,
we had to respond and get into these houses. Um, we responded to in 24 hours responded to dozens of calls. Um, several EMS calls, uh, many wire related calls and, uh, those due to the power
outages that we had. So um and many times two or three calls at a time we were going out. So this was many many calls in in just a short amount of time. Um but it was uh thanks to special thanks
to John and his guys in the plows because they're the ones that if they can't get us through, we can't get there to do our job. Um, and thanks to Chief Ward and and his guys because once we do get to the call, we need help getting in the houses. These these places are
heavy, wet snow, you know, talking feet uh up to your knees. So, just being able to get in the houses was was was a a feat unto itself. So we would send crews in on the ambulance and fire, PD, public works, radios and the plows would then
meet there and help us just make a path and so we can get the patients out, get our our vehicles out. Uh we had plows getting stuck in this now. So it was it was a project in just a short amount of time. So I want to thank them. We had
one heavy call on the golf course. for the CPR progress and if it wasn't for their assistance and help um we were able to give this patient the best possible outcome um and as far as I know
to this day uh still fighting. So um it's because of your guys help that able to give this patient the best chance they could. So thank you to them definitely Jen Zuba and her team Chief Daily and Ser
Yeah. So, just want to send my thanks all that. >> I'll just re Chief Fuller said, I mean, it was a great opportunity to work with these guys in the situation that we were all tested and kind of utilized all the uh options and equipment that we had to make sure that we were successful through this period. We're able to
respond to 86 calls during that, you know, operational period. And without, you know, the assistance of these guys, it wouldn't have been possible. I mean, anything from domestics to, like I said, the CPR progress call blizzard is is quite uh challenging. So to be able to to operate is great. And I think one group of people that were forgetting is
uh you know the citizens. I was out driving around all night through the storm two o'clock in the morning. Nobody's out on the roads which is great because it just lowered the call load for us. We weren't worried about being stranded. Let uh you know public works to to do their job. So I want to thank the citizens you know team for really cooperating and helping us get through
this really trying period and allowing us to be have the emergency services do their jobs and we're actually you know required instead of some of the stuff that gets clums. I appreciate >> it down to our deputy there. >> All right. And I just want to echo what
they've all said. Thank you very very much. Roads were great. Even our back roads. It was very, very good. Jen, let me just ask you one question. Um, I saw a lot several comments on Facebook or on
social media. Oh, my my elderly mother is down in Brigantine. She can't get out. doesn't have power. Were they able to just call the police non-emergency number and was somebody available to pick them up? >> Yes. So, we actually had several on
Monday. I was also in dispatch, so I had two hats that day. Um, but I either answered their call in dispatch or in OEM tried to coordinate whether they were going to shelter in place uh or if we were going to take them to the community center. And with public works,
police, and fire, we actually did have to plow through, get some of those residents out of the houses. A couple required a lift assist, but we either got them over to the community center or we monitored them. I checked in uh usually through the phone if they just did not want to leave their house. We
had a few uh in my head, there was at least seven that were like, you know what, we'll just stay home. But we checked in with them, made sure that they had what they needed. >> Okay. But if they just call the police non-emergency number, they can >> either Yeah, they called the non-emergency police number or they
dialed OEM directly. >> Oh, okay. Great. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> All right. Just one quick thing. The Brigantine Golf Links posted today that they are open for play. The Greens have all been mowed and they're looking forward to a great spring with their
full staff on board. So, we're looking for some nice weather to get everybody out there playing. That's it. >> Works fire department
management director and for the outstanding job that everyone did and also to bring families and their cooperation in a lot of respects. I know that got a little short at times with driveways being clouded, but for the most part, everybody
understood. Thank you, Mayor. Congratulations once again to the fourth grade day team. That's very nice to see. Great ceremony. Always good to see uh our kids doing so well. Uh and they're very good at it. They're consistent.
never gets old. Uh I'd also like to echo that same comments from our city manager to all our public works or public service personnel rather right here at the table in front of us. Great job. uh some heavy wet snow that definitely must
comp not must of definitely did complicate things and uh I know once they got done with the emergency roads there were people that needed medical assistance and uh there was medical personnel as well to that end and uh some surgeons that needed to get out and
uh get out of the little a little mess they were in just trying to get just to get out of their properties for surgeries and whatnot. And I really tip a cap to you John in particular for uh assisting with that.
So great job. Outstanding job. Congratulations to uh on a larger uh national note, congratulations to the men's and the women's team uh ice hockey teams. Incredibly uh great uh feel-good
story. Uh not just for the country, but obviously the vibe here locally and regionally. It's really something to see. uh in the dramatic fashion which they they pulled it off. I mean the women's was the women's team actually was more dramatic than the men's. They
they pulled a goalie with like two minutes left. They're down a goal. They tie it up and then the move that that uh was that Megan Keller put on that defenseman and scored that winning goal was incredible. Jack Hughes he put a cherry on top of the uh top of the cake
as well with his with the men's team. So great great thing. And I'm sure a lot of people up early 6:30 I was up to watch that game. I think kicked off at about 8 Sunday morning. So with that uh just uh that's it for me. I'd love very interested to hear what Mike's got to say regarding St.
Patty's Day parade. So thank you Mark. >> I got to dodge the storm this time. So um but I know you all did a great job because I got zero constituent complaints. So the roads must have been plowed. Everyone got their their calls
in and picked up and Jen, congratulations on a job. The only other thing I'd like to say is uh please support our charities on the island. It's it's that time of year through the winter that they all kind of struggle.
So, if you can, please support our charities. Mayor, thank you. uh got to acknowledge public works and fire for emergency management for the absolutely outstanding job that did absolutely fantastic not just over this
last one the previous storm in the weeks that follow freezing temperatures pipes amazing problems that you had. So, you guys were fantastic. Um, if you folks don't mind, I'd like to
take a minute to address the numerous concerns that brought to my attention regarding increased sales and gas billing, specifically the delivery charges. Folks have uh grown increasingly
concerned over the exorbitant charges levied upon billings. Some of these monthly billings have increased hundreds of dollars. To establish such an increase upon customers with little to no notice was
certainly unexpected. I understand it's how Jersey Gas has spent a substantial amount of money in upgrading their services and their ability to deliver their product in a safe and effective manner. This includes the gas lines, gas meters, road paving,
concrete sidewalks and curves. But the utility companies are well aware of these continuing costs with non-stop repairs and upgrades. These future costs are analyzed and added and are supposed to be budgeted as
all companies do. These repairs and upgrades should be absorbed into their cost analysis every year reflected in their billing responsibly over time. RT consist of folks with varying
incomes, many of whom are fixed budgets, including the elderly, folks with disabilities, and those with lower incomes, some of whom are already working two or three jobs just to make ends meet. Even residents with more median incomes
had no way of budgeting for such an increase. Families when doing a budget for their home can usually calculate and approximate what their bills will be throughout the year, especially their utility bills, their summer bills, and their winter ones.
Some families can handle small increase. In life, we expect some type of rate increase over time andor every couple years. But to double, triple, and in some cases quadruple the monthly cost overnight, it's not only unsustainable,
but slowly force some of our members of our community. I understand that these increases were evaluated, approved by the state board of utilities. My concern is that instead of the state addressing the issues with current power supply and increasing
power demand, it seems that the issues are only exacerbated by the recent campaign for the governor's office which prompted candidates to promising to stabilize utility costs. This could have been prompted by South
Jersey Gas anticipating such a large and immediate increase before the board of utilities due to the impending possibility of a rate freeze. Please know that we don't hate South Jersey Gas. Their workers are a part of our community. We greatly appreciate the
services they provide. Mayor Sarah, Senator Vince Palina have requested you received information from South Jersey Gas which is now being evaluated. We greatly appreciate the cooperation. We ask that representatives of South
Jersey Gas to please sit down and in good faith work with Mayor Sarah and Senator Palestina and hopefully coming up with some type of mutual agreement that will help ease the pain and frustration of our community. still allow South Jersey gas the ability to
effectively provide much needed services in a financially responsible way. Any consideration? Thank you everybody. >> Thank you mayor. Yeah, it's just so wonderful to see that
young group of kids on the think day team. It brings us brings us back. Dennis and I were talking about when the kids were younger and we've all been through it and to see a team have success and like that. It's just brings back such good memories and the traditions that we keep here on the
island which are are a good thing to keep, right? Uh like everybody else said, I mean, Mother Nature threw everything she had at us over the last six weeks. deep breezes, huge amounts of snow, and and all you guys, all the
department heads, and and the members of the public works, police and fire. It's a just a huge thank you to all of you because and and Jen, thank you. Um, so yeah, that's that's uh really really good. So, uh, while we were sitting
inside watching the snow come out, these guys were out there pushing it out of the way and you know, we we all thank you. So, the roads were fabulous. That's that. Um, Dennis mentioned about the St. Patrick's Day parade that's coming up in
two Saturdays. Uh, 1:00 at St. Thomas here starts at 1 1 p.m. goes right down to Veterans Triangle, 32nd Street. And, uh, it's going to be another fabulous day. The sunshine. Weather looked great. And of course we got
Marshall Neil Kane from Sandy Jack Deli Janette Kesler head of the degree team in the farmers market and a teacher of the year uh Carrie Hazer. So got a good uh got a good crew of grand marshals this year. Uh Atlantic
City's parade if you want to warm up get tuned up before before our parade is this Sunday at one o'clock. So it's always a good time. Uh, I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce for getting so involved and helping with Shake the Shamrock Week. And like I mentioned last
meeting, they've just taken this parade of ours to a whole new level. And I certainly appreciate everything they're doing. Um, we have so many things going on with the Economic Development Committee. We have a meeting coming up next week. This year we have the 250th
anniversary of the country. We have the 100th anniversary of the city. So we're planning big things for those days and besides everything else that we talk about that you know a lot of things will be discussed about new businesses and existing businesses and what's going on
there and then the cultural arts commission they're always uh doing a great job uh getting things set up. So other than that Oh yeah, the food truck festival. Thanks
Neil. the food truck festival. It turned out so well last year over here in in Hanman Park that we're doing it three times this year, June, July, and August. So, that's uh that's awesome also. So, and it's always good having the Morgans
around and Blake and Mike and Sandy. Other than that, that's about all I got. You know where to find my number, right? Run of the Bricky Times, Jen, just in case you didn't know. Okay. Um, so we need to appoint our board of
school estimates again this year. Uh, like to have a motion and second to have Pauli, Mel Kane, and myself, Vinc on the board of school estimates. Motion >> make that motion. >> Second. >> Second. All in favor? >> Any oppos? >> Seeing none. Welcome back to the
committee, guys. Uh, one of the things we're starting to pay attention to, I guess we found out about two weeks ago that Atlantic City High School is raising their tuition rate 38%. It's an insane number. I talked with the
school to get some numbers on how many students we actually have at Atlantic City High School. I mean, a 38% increase that that could have major impacts to your taxes. Uh, right now we currently have somewhere between 12 and 15 students at Atlantic City High School. There's some other towns that send students there that send a lot more.
They're going to have major impacts to their school taxes. So, this is something that we're monitoring and paying attention to. Um, still waiting from the state on numbers. So, we'll have some more information at our next port of school estimates. Uh, we'll share that information once we have it.
Uh, kind of following up on what Neil talked about with South Jersey Gas. Uh we're working with Senator Palestina to try to understand these uh bills and what's going on. Um we made a request to South Jersey Gas to get a fiveyear history of the bill. Specifically, what
we want to look at is the delivery charges. Natural gas prices, the the product itself, because technology has gotten so good at getting natural gas out of the ground, the commodity prices have actually gone down. What we're
seeing is a a major increase in the what they call the delivery charges and what we requested is what is the specific breakdown of those delivery charges. South Jersey Gas sent us some information. Senator Palina was able to get some information from the New Jersey
Board of Public Utilities. We're looking through that information, but we had more questions for South Jersey Gas because one, we want to make sure that we understand that the the data that they gave us and we want some clarifications. Some of the numbers were
given in percentages and we want to know what this means for the average household. Sometimes percentages are very abstract. What does this mean for the average payer? Um, once we have that information, we're going to share that publicly. I will tell you, South Jersey Gas has been very responsive. that they
are working in good faith with us to try to get us the information. And the whole goal of this is that if we can understand the bill and what's really driving the cost, it could lead to some opportunities to create some real relief. I know there's a lot of people who are very frustrated, you know, they
want us to kind of yell and scream and stomp our feet. There's a lot of politicians that are great at yelling and screaming and stomping their feet. One of the things I want to throw out there is uh how effective are those people at actually delivering results. You know, one of the things that we need is a is a real partnership. One,
understand the issue. Two, how do we work with South Jersey Gas and how do we work with the state? How do we work with BPU to come up with something meaningful? Because at the end of the day, it really comes down to how much each person has to pay in their bill. This isn't just a South Jersey gas
issue. I've been talking to people across the tri-state area. This is all the utility companies a lot between electric and between gas. There is a lot of issues where those prices are rising. We need to start to look at why. What is
the real driving cost? So, we're starting with South Jersey gas. Once we kind of get a better handle on this, we will reach out to Atlantic City Electric and try to work with them. But I I think you got to start off by understanding it, coming up with real proposals and real solutions of how we move this
forward, and then that's how we get meaningful results. So, we'll keep people posted as we move through this process. At this time, we'll open it up uh for public comment. Anybody wishing to be heard, please come up, state your name and address for the record.
Thank you, mayor, council, staff members. Uh, for the record, Frank Kle, 433 Lafayette Boulevard here in Brigantine. Um, I'd like to add my voice to the course of congratulations to all the various departments, fire, EMS, police, and especially DPW. Um, for one
who did it for many years back in New York, it's it's blood money. Been there, done that, and it's it's it's it's a thankless job no matter how good of a job you do. So again, my kudos to all the departments um and especially you know my background with fire to the fire department. I was talking to one of the
brothers a couple days ago on the street have the meeting or chitchat the amount of calls for service that you went out 240 250 if I'm correct that's a lot especially under the conditions um see how the big trucks got changed this and that I worked on a ladder company for
many years and it's a terrible feeling to have the back end of that truck go out and spin 300 or 180 degrees face the opposite direction so again compliments to all the guys it's also a little bit of a segue I'm glad the director here of OEM um was
traveling the streets a couple days after the storm and again you know my background fire safety and all that and I got a little bit torqued um couple different streets people went shoveling their driveways that big yellow thing in front of their house they were throwing snow on it the fire hydrants and you
know what first thing is to stop and say hey what are you doing it's okay mind my business you know you don't want to get into confrontation but um I recollect something we used to do so some municipalities back in New York to have what they called a um adopt a hydrant program. Uh it was a voluntary thing. If
you had a hydrant within so many feet of your house, you could take one, two, three. You would sign up with the municipality and you would actually agree to shovel the hydrant after each and every storm. Three or four feet side to side, three feet in the back and especially in the front, you know, on the curb line. This way boys have to
come up and do a hookup. They don't have to waste any time shoveling it out. And it was a pilot program and it worked for a couple years to be honest. It didn't they didn't follow through as it did. But what happened was um once a taxpayer homeowner registered you came and then
you did the uh the shoveling and at the end of the year they had a little recognition ceremony. So the person got a little certificate for you know 123 Main Street. You know thank you for helping keep our municipality safe. It was signed by the mayor and the council, the fire chief, that type of thing. So,
I'm just throwing that out there. Hopefully, we won't see another snowstorm until whenever next December, but maybe something to think about just again a public safety thing uh for the guys. Um been there, done that. You know, you wasted two or three minutes trying to shovel out a hydrant and poor
person's home with cars burning to the ground. So, it might be something worthwhile to look into, you know, between the chief OEM and and the council. Um very inexpensive plan, voluntary thing, and might get a little more community involvement. So, >> that's a good idea. Thank you. Thank you. Great idea.
>> All right. Thank you. >> At this time, we're going to close the public portion. Any >> Sorry, I was just going to say after our last meeting, I stole your idea and I did throw it out there on Facebook, the adopt a hydrant thing. So, I started
throwing it out there. You're >> in charge. You're in charge. Any final council comments? All right, seeing none, we have a motion second to adjurnn. >> I'll make that motion. >> Motion. >> All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Seeing none. Motion passed. Thank you for coming out, watching your council see the work.