All right. Good evening everyone. We have a special meeting of the city council of the city of Kate May. We are here in the Kate May city hall auditorium. Today is Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026. The time is now 4:31. Please join me for the pledge of
allegiance. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you. Under the open public meetings law, notice of this meeting was sent to the Kate May County Herald and the Press Atlantic City and a copy of the agenda was delivered to each member of city council posted on the city website and city hall bulletin board. Notice is hereby provided that Kate May city
council meetings are audio recorded and or video streamed live. Live video streams are posted to the Kate May city website. The city of Kate May is not responsible if audio recording or live video streaming of a meeting is unavailable. Roll call. Council member Baldwin >> here. >> Council member Bodner
>> here. >> Deputy Mayor McDade >> here. >> Via telephone. Council member Meyer will be arriving shortly and will join us in the close session. Mayor Mullik >> here. >> City solicitor Gillan Schwarz >> here. >> City Manager Dietrich >> here. >> Deputy Manager Riggs >> here.
>> Deputy Clerk Turner >> here. And we have resolution 121032026, a resolution providing for a meeting not open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act and JSA 104-12. This is for collective bargaining
negotiations for GW local 2327 middle management. >> Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Roll call. >> Deputy Mayor McDade. >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner. >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin. >> Yes. Mayor Mullik.
>> Yes. >> Public portion. Mayor, >> is anyone here wishing to speak on this resolution? Seeing none, we'll close public comment and go into close session. >> Time is 4:35. >> Thank you. All right. Good evening, everyone. We're coming out of a closed session that we
need to close. Um, and we will be taking action based on that close session. Do I do I have a motion to close the uh close session? >> I'll make that motion. >> Do I have a second? >> A second. Time is 4 459.
>> Okay. And we of course we will uh go over that uh resolution when we get to that. Um our solicitor can give an explanation. With that, we can open up our regular meeting. Everyone ready? I'm sorry.
Good. With that, we'll open up our regular meeting of the city council of the city of Cape May. Today is Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026. The time is now 5:00 pm. Please join me for the pledge of allegiance.
>> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you.
Under the open public meetings law, notice of this meeting was sent to the Kate May County Herald and the press of Atlantic City, and a copy of the agenda was delivered to each member of city council, posted on the city website and city hall bulletin board. Notice is hereby provided that Kate May city council meetings are audio recorded and video streamed live. Live video streams
are posted to the Kate May city website. The city of Kate May is not responsible if audio recording or live video streaming of a meeting is unavailable. Roll call. Council member Baldwin >> here. Council member Bodner >> here. >> Deputy Mayor McDade >> here.
>> Via telephone. Council member Meyer >> here. >> Mayor Mullik >> here. >> City solicitor Gillan Schwarz >> here. >> City Manager Dietrich >> here. >> Deputy Manager Riggs >> here. >> Deputy Clerk Turner >> here. >> And CFO Reid >> here. >> Any additions or deletions tonight,
council? >> Any additions or deletions? We already have the uh addition of the um uh contract negotiation on on the agenda. Nothing else? >> No. >> All right. We can move right into uh city manager presentation of the 2026
municipal budget. Thank you, mayor. Um, so we're at this fun time of year where we're starting the formal budget process. We've been obviously working on this since last year. Uh it's been great working with uh
our new CFO Lauren Reid and going through this process and uh she's done a really great job in working with all of our departments. We've met individually with all of our department heads to kind of go through everything. Um we've started having some preliminary
discussions with council. um we think we have it in a spot where we're ready to present it to council and um we've prepared some budget books for you and this is kind of the the summary of where we're at. And then over the next, you know, kind of two weeks, week and a half, we're going
to try to meet with each individual council person to make sure we can address any of your questions. And so if we need to do any final tweaking of the budget before we're actually go to introduction, um you know, that's what we'll do. Um, so giving that said, the numbers that you're seeing here tonight,
they're draft, they're preliminary. Council hasn't vetted and made the final decision on these. So I just I'm just putting the big asterisk for the presentation, but this is kind of what we're looking uh to present for uh council. Um, we're looking at a uh a current fund appropriate appropriation
of 29.9 million. Just kept it right under that $30 million number for total appropriations. uh water sewer utility at 8.5 um beach utility at 4.6 tourism uh 2.4 for a total budget uh
just around $45.5 million. This uh unfortunately does result in a two cent increase in the tax rate for this year. Um you know we've done such a great job over the years council has and you know holding that 0%
um for over you know for six years running. However, it just came to a point where, you know, with all the different things going up over the years, it just kind of, you know, we ran out of things to tap to uh add to that additional revenue to make sure that we
could stay where we're at and not get further behind and and really hitting the fund balance harder than what we have started to. Um when you look at the budget comparison uh you know and and for the current fund I you know so the number looks different from the previous
slide because we exclude the grants because the grant numbers always change. So you really want to look at the numbers apples to apples. Um it's really only a 5.5% increase. Um so that's not really that bad of a percentage increase when you look at health care costs um
averaging up to eight to nine percent of a blended rate when you know it's it's unfortunate we say that's a a good number to hit um you know all of our insuranceances and other different things. So when you look at a general appropriations for salaries uh health care and all the other different factors
we're looking at a 5.5% increase. Um, you know, the water sewer appropriations did jump up a little bit higher. We tried to do a little better accounting of of some different things and we'll go over that later. Um, the beach utility uh up 8%. Um, now tourism obviously it
it says 51% but you know when you have a small number and you're just increasing a little bit a percentage wise is is a tough one for that. Um, and we'll kind of go over why that hit that mark. Um so but when you look at the overall to total budget you're looking at a you know
about an 8% um blended across all of the budgets that we have. How do we get there? Um we're looking at the current fund revenues. You know revenues continue to uh increase um you know up over 300,000 from prior years.
Uh again our surplus has grown to over $14 million. Um, we will be using about 6 and a half million of a of a surplus of that to uh help fund our budget. Um, just would like to note, you know, there there's 987,000
specifically designed for capital projects. Uh, we went over that at the last meeting of the types of projects that we're looking at including in that capital budget. So, that's that's capital projects that we're not putting towards long-term debt. Um we're also looking at for a third year in a row,
you know, prepaying off um bonds uh so that they don't go, you know, it kind of shortens the amount of long-term debt. So when you kind of look at that, you're talking about um almost $1.25
million that's going directly towards debt reduction um and and items that we're not putting on for long-term debt between those two things. So I think that's a a really important thing to note as we move forward um on the appropriation sides you know
looking at you know it is an increase um but we have to realize obviously salary the salaries is the probably the biggest line that hits that and it's just the people's individual salaries it's also the pension payments that go along with it and the health insurance costs that
go along with that. So it's when you really look at that, you know, between health insurance going up eight to 9% salaries, you know, we tried to hold a lot of our collective bargaining agreements at a 3%
um salary increase on the collective bargain agreements. So when you look at all that blended information, you know, we're really trying to work that down. Um also our collective bargaining agreements um we had to really negotiate to kind of
keep competitive salaries to to attract some of the you know good employees uh that that can be effective in operating uh within the city. uh debt service again was 5.3 million um
which is kind of in line that number's kind of been pretty stable uh over the budget year. So you know when we look at all the different capital projects that we do spend on that debt service number really stays pretty consistent as a as a capital uh payment that we make over the
years. uh water sewer um you know we talked about that you know and their surplus has grown um to 3.4 million. We are increasing. Last year we spent a lot of time uh doing a um allocation of manpower uh and
all across all the departments to really determine where are we where are employees spending their time and and that's where you see some of the jumps in in the different utilities that a lot of their time and allocation was charged to the current fund when really should have
been charged to the different utilities. If you kind of think about it, the tax collector's office, everybody thinks, oh, the tax collector's office just collects taxes. No, they, you know, they spend as much time sending out tax bills and collecting taxes as sending out the water bills and collecting water
payments. Uh during this off season, they're also the front line in beach tag sales collection. So from January to almost April into May, they're who's trans doing all the transactions for beach tags. So, you know, we looked at
those and hey, those that department salary should be spread across the different utilities. So, it it accounts for that. So, that's where you'll see a lot of adjustments um upwards in some of those utilities to account for that allocation. Um, also water sewer. I just want to
just note, I think it's always good note. Um, you know, we're well ahead of the state's mandate for the 2031 for the lead uh, uh, pipe removal. As you know, we we started the grant process to help since we've got all the mains almost
done within the city rightways. Now, we're working with property owners to uh, you know, replace their lead service lines uh, running from the meter to the house. And hopefully we get continue to get grants for that to help offset the costs for homeowners to uh remove that
uh lead service lines for them. Beach utility uh here again uh anticipating a $3.6 million in revenue. That's up $200,000 from beach tag strong beach tag sales. Um you know we're going to
continue to have a strong robust beach and you know we'll continue to help grow that beach tag sales. Um so the we did see some slight decrease in the beach utility surplus. Um that was really to kind of help offset some of the
reallocation of manpower and operating expenses into the beach utility. Um tourism utility uh kind of the same story. Uh you know their surplus has kind of stayed steady. Um we are using
about $818,000 of their uh surplus to help balance their budget. Um big focus uh out of the tourism utility this year. We did add some additional money in there was to help fund some of the projects we're doing with the nation's
250th, the city's 175, and our national historic landmarks 50th anniversaries. Um I'll go over some more of the activities because we're kind of as we go into March, this is really the kickoff for some of those celebrations. So, um we're kind of uh starting that whole season and that's where we're
trying to spend some money. Uh we're also going to have some opportunities. The county has uh going to be offering some grants uh to municipalities to help offset some of the funds and opportunities that we're doing uh for these anniversary celebrations. So, we'll be uh hopefully be able to recoup
some of that with some grants from the county. How does this affect me as a on your taxes? Well, the tax assessor added about $12.3 million of improvements in 25 um you know, so that was about
average what we've been doing over the last couple years as far as added assessments. Uh state aid, they never give you a little bit more. Um so that kind of stays steady steady. Um so, you know, we're looking at a uh tax rate
increase of uh 38.1 cents. So on an average home, uh, you know, you're looking at an incre of an average home is around $750,000. So you're looking at a total increase of about $150, uh, per household as as this looks into
for an average house within the city. And obviously, I always like to make note of that that does not include any county or school rate change that they may have in their um, revenues looking forward. Um, as you can see across the board, all of our
revenues, you know, year after year have continued to kind of to grow. Um, the only thing that revenue from that didn't grow was last year was interest rates. We did see a little drop of interest rates, uh, which obviously the rates have dropped that the banks have been
giving us. Um though we have as we've talked before uh Lauren has is really working towards you know leveraging some of additional funds over to um NJRM to get a little bit better of an interest rate. So uh we're also going to be looking at doing a RFP for banking here
over the next month or two. So, you're going to see a request to go out for RFPs for banking services uh just to kind of go out there and see how we can leverage uh and try to make sure that we're getting the the best interest rate we can for the money that we have on hand.
Um capital projects. I'm not going to spend a lot of time here. This is kind of just a summary sheet for what what I really discussed at the last meeting. Um and uh again this is I had this slide up here last last meeting when we talked
about our debt ratio. Our debt ratio continues to uh fall off and and that really goes back to uh making some of those additional uh bond payments as well as funding some of these capital projects uh within the budget so that we don't have to put on additional debt. So
that's the budget and a quick little snapshot. Um this presentation uh was included in the uh agenda packet. Uh we will also post it as an individual PDF on the um on our financial page just that way anybody can take a look at it
and peruse it. And again, but this is the preliminary budget. We'll try to set those meetings up with council to kind of go over them individually. and we're looking to introduce the budget at the next meeting and then we'll follow up um
in in April 21st for adoption of the budget. >> That's great. Um thank you. So council, if you could uh reach out to Paul and schedule a meeting and >> Yep. I'll probably have Hannah send out meeting invites and try to coordinate
calendars and we'll try to get us all situated as soon as we can. Thank you, city manager. Thank you, Lauren. We appreciate it. Um, city manager, you want to go right into
um street opening or you know, whatever you have. >> So, so we had that discussion last meeting regarding the um utility openings. I did was able to find a uh video. I I looked through a lot of
different videos to find something that would be appropriate for you to kind of take a look at to get a feel for the patching process and what's involved. Uh the you know the the request ultimately and comes from
the homeowner and they would pay the additional fee for this you know expedited process. Um but ultimately the the work will be contracted and scheduled and coordinated through the utility company in this case South Jersey Gas. Um I can assure you for
especially for this test case scenario um if if if you um we did have the the video. So if you if you care to want to watch the the quick little video it's it's it's here. But um >> no I would just if council or if anybody
wants to look at it we can look at it later. I just wanted to make council to be aware that we do have it available. Um >> it is on the website. >> It it is part of the packet. Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Oh, no. I don't know if this video is not part of this this I sent the link I
sent the link to you guys individually. Yeah. >> Um, you know, as you watch in the video, you know, it's, you know, the whole problem with traditional patching is you make a saw cut, you excavate the patch out, and then it's a cold joint between the new
material and the old material. Because this infrared heater heats up both the the material you're going to put in and the adjacent material, it it it chemically bonds and connects back to it so that it's not really a joint. It's a homo It creates a homogeneous material
just like the original asphalt. Um, so I mean will you see the where the patch is? You will see some discoloration but it won't look like the patches like a traditional patch where you're going to see the true
difference in the material. Um, uh, it will be overseen by public works and myself especially for this one. Um and uh you know I think it's a good alternative um to allow when you do have a property owner that is really looking to to to
make a change and in this case they're making a you know I think their heater is going and they wanted to change heating sources. So they're converting from oil to uh natural gas. Um, but this is a typical case where, you know, they weren't able to get it done, you know,
when we did the or they didn't know they needed to do this two years ago when we paved the road. They're here now, but so they're still within that 5-year period. Um, and my recommendation is would be is to allow this to happen, use this as a test case and if and if we like how it happens, I gave you a draft ordinance
that we could amend the ordinance in the future to uh make this a more routine thing so that you would not have to see and have to have this discussion on a regular basis. We would do that administratively. they'd pay the the emergency opening fee and then that
would trigger um this enhanced uh replacement process. >> So, last council meeting, if I may, uh I think we did a straw vote. It seemed like more of a straw vote. I think that we all allowed this to go forward. When is when do they plan on getting this uh
completed so we can analyze? So, so we the resolution would is on for the agenda this evening or I think it'll be on for next meeting tonight. I'd ask for a motion vote to allow it. This would allow me to process the applica or have
Aaron's office process the application. We can get it going. It would probably the initial work would happen probably within two to three weeks. Then you let it sit for 45 to 60 days and then they do the ultimate repair patch. won't
happen until later in the summertime. >> Okay? >> Where at this point, you probably would I would probably just tell them wait till September, October when there's a little less traffic, then they can get out there and and and do the repair and then we'll take a look at it. >> Well, I reason I brought that up was
because I'd like to see some time period between the work being completed and maybe a couple months to see if it's got an indentation or anything else like that. >> They they definitely have to wait for sure. They have to wait a minimum 45 days. Cool. Thank you. >> You have it.
>> Paul Paul, >> I would like to see >> I'd like to take the opportunity to talk about a couple patches in town for for a moment. >> Um there's there's three patches that I can think of that I I do not like, but I just want to bring up Wawwa. We've
talked about multiple times and I know that's the county, but I just I just want to bring >> and that and that's still the temporary old patch. They have not done the final patch. >> Okay. And anyone who knows, I'm talking about Texas Avenue, uh, outside Waw Wa. >> Um, Colombia has a, and by the way, this
is to no one's fault. I'm just I'm bringing up my my most pet peeved potholes. It Colombia uh has a patch that was like the worst patch you've ever seen done. And I don't
know how we improved it. But anyway, that was a new new road and they they patched it and it's terrible and and and bad enough that now it's like opening up, you know, >> right? >> And same way on Jefferson
um between um between Washington and Lafayette is a patch that we did as a city >> that I run over every day that uh is terrible. And there again, I don't think they ever went back and did a final
patch on that one either. So, um, >> and by the way, let me just one last thing before you answer that. I have driven through a couple towns after this snowstorm and Cape May by far has the nicest roads. I will say that, but we
want to keep them that way. And and a couple of these patches I just think are like >> So, so what >> not motivating to do more patches is what I'm really trying to say. So, what what I what I would recommend is and I think I think there's two things and and and as I've investigated this thing this
request, it's allowed me to delve a little bit deeper into the road permit process and and how it moves from the request comes in the clerk's office and then how it moves over public works and how public works treats it as well as the com the also the the flip side of
the patches that are generated by city projects whether it's water sewer department or public works opens something up because of storm water. Um, I think we can do better both at the tracking of them to make sure that they
are done properly, but then also that it's followed up better, that they're do a final restoration in a better time frame because all the three that you mentioned are still the temporary patch. They never had the final patches. Now,
that fell into nobody followed up like I'll say the Columbia Avenue one. Nobody probably followed up to make sure that the utility company came back and did the final repair. >> The Texas Avenue one, we know because the county's we've been talking with the county and they've been trying to figure
out and I think they're trying to work with our contractor that's doing the work on Illinois so that when he's paving Illinois, he's going to come up and and get them just so that so that one is coming. Okay. >> Um my other So I think I think administratively I can have staff do a
better job at tracking them and making sure that we're watching them better. Um the other thing is you could make this repair technique a requirement as the requirement for final
restoration. not not not use this as a the special condition, but you could have this as this is the standard and then and then you don't have those patches that turn into potholes because the weak link in that what creates that
pothole is that joint between the old asshoot and the new as >> the old and the new is a open joint. water invariably leaks down into that and then obviously in the winter conditions freeze thaw freeze thall water in there freeze expands is and
then that's what creates the pothole. So you you would eliminate that as a future thing. So I think that you could we could solve both those problems by allowing this technology and this enhanced repair method as a
standard so that it could improve our patching. But also, I think the city needs to do a better job at tracking the patches as they happen to make sure that they're restored properly and and done properly. >> Paul, follow-up question on that because the way the code's written right now
with hardship openings, the the restoration requirement is one curb to curb or a trench restoration at the discretion of the city that it's not going to create longevity problems. Right.
>> Do you do you see this infrared as a third option or the option or >> I I would say you would have you'd have two options. One we could direct like we did full width repairs. If you recall
when South Jersey Gas came down and did Jackson Street Yacht Avenue, we told them, "Hey, you're doing so many repairs in that street. You're paving full width." and that and that's why we need that ordinance language in that to make to allow them to say hey if you're doing so many patches the city can require you
to to pay full width and so there is no patching um I think that the second option would be to use this enhanced method to do the trench repairs for all trench repairs not so then you almost get rid of the need for the emergency
repair you get need of you get rid of the need of tracking the moratorum if if you just tell every time they we're going to do a pageantry in the street, do it using this enhanced method. Then then you you don't worry about
we're always going to have a good patch at the end when we do it. But the key is we have to do a better job on the city administration side of tracking it and inspecting it and making sure those patches are done. Um, Ocean City gets so hyper techchnal they have they actually
have them paint numbers like of the the repair number on the street so that as public works employees are driving around they c they can know if that's like a temporary number or a final number because if they see a paint number on the street they know it's a a
temporary patch and still needs to go back. So they can say, "Oh, that's patch 25. Let's go check when that's supposed to be done." And you know, so they actually track it that way. I don't know if that's the best method because then you got numbers on the street and then that's going to probably prompt a bunch
of questions from people, but but they find that that's an easy way to kind of track it so they know, hey, which one's a temporary patch, which one's been a final patch. >> I have a couple of quick well a question. Um because as I was looking at
this new technology, well, it's not >> it's not new. It's not really that new because when I looked at the YouTube video that you sent out, >> it was it was interesting. I liked how they were raking it, you know, the lighting, you know, the infrared, all of that. >> Um, and then looking at it a little bit
further, and I don't know if you looked into this either, Paul, um, it's recommending it for anything that's 2 to three inches deep. >> Um, so is for anything that would be deeper than that, you'd have to, you know, you'd have to probably do a
temporary and then come back. Am I correct with that? >> You always are going to do a temporary. >> You're always going to do a temporary. And that temporary is going to be the full depth of the the outsole. Usually four to four to six inches >> in depth. >> Well, if you compact it properly, see
the whole the whole key to I'm going I'm going to geek out now. You on the the you get the semi-engineer geek method here. So if the trench is done and compacted properly, in other words, when it's opened up and if you compact it in proper lifts of the soil, that's where the it it's not because you need time
for settlement. It's because if you compact it properly with proper compaction equipment in the trench and proper lifts, then you won't have settlement. The problem is contractors are inherently wanting to get done quickly. So instead of doing it
in six inch lifts and compact it, six inch lifts and compact it, they throw a foot and a half in there, compact it, a foot and a half in there and compact it. And so that you truly don't get true compaction in that thicker lift as you would if you get a smaller lift. I mean, I think we all can kind of appreciate
that playing in the sand and the dirt, walking on it, you kind of if it's kind of the same thing. Um, but that's why you ultimately that's why you always want to let them sit for 45 60 days. So that way mother nature and the traffic does that
extra compaction for us and that tells the test of time. So so in that and then then we go back in and cut out that temporary repair. So you wouldn't have to go down and and do that asphalt down below because what'll happen is when you heat up that top two
to three inches >> that it's it's it's not only creating a seal on the sides, but it's creating a seal underneath because it's heating all of that area up. So it's sealing underneath, it's sealing on the sides and it's creating that. You know, if you
have a one by one hole kind of thing, you know, this in fair thing is you heat up an area one foot beyond it. And so that that's how it creates that you're meshing everything together. You're not just heating up and doing just the patch, you're going beyond it to create
one uniform patch. >> I'm also wondering because you were saying if if you had a contractor out there that wasn't doing the job that they should be doing. I mean, are we looking at, you know, I, you know, I don't know, bonding if it >> Well, we we already collect, you know, so for utility companies, we have funds
on hand. Uh, the ordinance provides for $15,000 uh shorty bond to remain on hand with the city. So, if we do have issues and we say, hey, you got to go out and fix it. Okay, you don't fix it, then we would go after, you know, >> talk with Chris and we would go after
that shorty to to make the repair. Um, so that that that stays on hand for both the performance and as a long-term maintenance. So it kind of serves that dual purpose. >> So if a homeowner is doing this, >> so don't forget the homeowner is not doing this. >> It's going to be it's going to be utility
>> utility company. Okay. The homeowner is paying for the this emergency fee. They're paying for the application fee. >> Okay. >> To allow the utility company to make the application. So the utility company is really the applicant for the road
opening permit and that's who that is actually responsible for the actual opening and the maintenance of that patch, not the homeowner. So we're not dealing with we're not having to deal with a homeowner that does not have the wherewithal or the capability to they're
not hiring the contractor. They're not worrying about doing that. we're dealing with a utility company that that is what they do and and they're used to doing that and they hire whether if they do it or they hire professional contractors to do that repair.
>> Okay. >> I just I have one question if I may, mayor. Um >> the area between Riggins and the C view is looking really rough right now and most of it's due to the storm. Mhm. >> Um so that's on that's on this year's so they've been working on Illinois and you
know some of the different streets they Stockton the after this fall they're going to be back and they're going to do kind of the remember how we did the other side of Lafayette Street. Well, guess what? We're going to be doing a detour and we're going to be doing that stretch
between uh the small bridge and and the Washington side of of I'll say that circle. >> Is there any possibility we can get a temporary patch for some of those? Is it a one that's an oblong shape? >> We can we can reach out we can reach out
to the county. Uh that's a county jurisdiction. So, we can reach out to the county. >> There's a pretty good pothole there. >> Yeah. And then there's another one as as the the bend creates right between the lines. I always hit that with my tires. I'm always going around it. >> Okay. >> Yep.
>> So, manager, were you looking for some >> So, so I would like to have my request would be is if you could have a a motion and a vote to authorize this emergency uh street opening request with this enhanced repair. Um and uh we'll follow
up with a uh memorializing resolution at the next meeting. This will allow me us to start the process and get all the paperwork in motion so that they can start and you'll memorialize it at the next meeting. >> Is that a motion now, Paul? >> That's what I' I'd ask for that motion.
>> Does anyone want to make that motion? Just want to be clear about where where it is. And >> yeah, just because um we usually get the resolutions ahead of time >> in order to vote on something. That's my only concern. >> We can have it we'll have the resolution
for the next meeting. >> Okay, >> that's fine. >> Is that all right? >> Yeah, that's fine. I just >> Okay, >> we'll have the resolution for the next meeting. >> Thank you. Okay. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> All right. City anniversaries. So March starts the kind of our celebratory uh
process um because on March 10th is the 175th anniversary of the city becoming the official city. So um as part of that we have a lot of different things that we're looking at on on March 10th we're going to be uh ringing in the 1675
years. We're asking um and we've reached out to all of our places of worship to ring their bells at 2:55 p.m. on March 10th uh to kind of commemorate that. Uh technically, I think the time was in the morning, but I don't think anybody was
going to want us to ring the bells in the middle of the night, so we're gonna we're going to do them at 2:55. And we've asked the churches. So, if you if you're out and about and you hear some uh churches, I'm going to probably ask Casey if if if people driving around want to participate, give a little to
honk of your horn around 255 and kind of join in join in the fun if you want to. Um we're also going to be starting uh 175 photos for 175 years. So, please send in your photos of your best times
and memories of here at Cape May. It can be of anything. Your time at the beach, just walking around, your perfect sunset or perfect sunrise if you get up that early, whatever, you know, two feet of snow and laying on the trees and
beautiful, you know, serene area or Christmas and K, whatever it is. So, as we get pictures in, uh, Casey and staff will be posting on Facebook and Instagram and social media, and we'll be rolling out 175, uh, best pictures and
of our memories, uh, within Cape May. Um, we're also going to be start to collect items. We are going to start a uh, and put together a time capsule uh, to be opened at the 200th anniversary of the city. So, we'll wait another 25
years and we'll open it up. Um, maybe we'll wait for a full 50 years. We're not sure, but um, you know, start dropping off the things that you'd like to to drop off into a time capsule, drop it off to my office. Uh, we'll put those together. Uh, when we get close to the,
um, the date we're going to put them on in, we'll put all the artifacts out here on council chambers table before a meeting to kind of show everybody what we're going to do. We'll have a little special sublatory closing of the time capsule and let everybody know when we're going to reopen it back up. Um,
we're also starting our wish wall. So, a wish wall uh is a it's a movement. Uh, it's actually a national movement uh started through the Smithsonian and a couple not forprofits. Uh, and we're going to have our wish wall at the community center. So you can stop by the community center and they're going to
have a a kind of a mural wall there that you can just write a little note to the nation and then periodically we'll upload that information up to the um the wish wall site uh nationally um and the community center if if you're looking to
uh I think there's ways that you can participate digitally uh through this through the Smithsonian and get information directly up to them and they'll have more information about that at the community center. Um we are also
launching uh kmfirst andonly.com. Uh that is live as of today. Uh the task force was kind of spearheaded that putting that together and we worked with a local web designer um and they got that put together and that's live. that's going to kind of be the calendar
of all the events that's going on uh both c celebratory in nature for the anniversaries but also um just other activities going on in the in the city and also different things that are highlighting um that highlights Kate May. So we're hoping that that could be
our future I'll say tourism brand logo for the city uh to kind of be a marketing tourism uh location that's all things Kate May. Um, so go and take take a look at that. And at your desk, and I do have a box and some laid out over
there on the table for anybody in the public, uh, you have the uh I'm going to call it the commemorative visitors guide. Um, usually the visitors guide is a co-promotion between the chamber of commerce and the city. Um, and the chamber usually publishes it. Uh this
year, uh Casey Ratigan, our director of tourism and marketing, put together the the visitors guide and it kind of highlights everything that's going on, highlights the three anniversaries. Um there is a QR link that drakes you directly to the first and only. And at
on the last page, there is a scavenger hunt um that is all Cape May. Uh if you complete the scavenger hunt, return it back to the community center and you'll get a little prize. So, um, you know, it's it's just a good way to kind of encourage everybody to kind of visit and
see what's good here in Kate May City. And obviously, we're trying to push the different anniversaries this year. So, this is the the start of the month. I know May is going to be another big month. I know Lorraine and HPC have really been working hard on um some
different historic events. Councilman Bodner has been working uh we're we're going to be doing a uh we're bringing back a Kate May 5K run. So, it's going to be a run through history and the first weekend in May uh to kind of run through the historic parts of town and
kind of get a little history tour as you do your 5K. So, um, got a lot of different events scheduled this year and appreciate everybody on the task force and council that helped, uh, kind of put these schedules together and, um, thank you for Casey Ratigan for kind of getting us
all together and and moving this forward in one and hopefully we have a good celebratory year this year. So, >> it's great. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank Thank you, city manager, city solicitor. Any updates or old business? Uh, nothing as fun as that, but I do want to just just tee up
some of the ordinances for second reading tonight. It's noted on the agenda. I just want to give a little bit of a explanation and color to this uh ordinances 591, 592, and 593. These are the ordinances relating to the city's fourth round affordable housing
compliance. And we did have these teed up for the last planning board meeting, but unfortunately because of the weather and loss of power, they weren't able to hold that meeting. So that review by the planning board, we didn't want to take any action at the council level until they had an opportunity to review for
master plan consistency. So I I think they're planning to continue that review on March 10th. And due to the compliance deadlines under the new affordable housing regulations, I I think there's some flexibility in
those statutes for precisely these types of circumstances. Weather events where a town is clearly working towards compliance, but due to events outside of our control, we just can't meet a technical deadline. I'm working with our affordable housing council just to determine whether we need to expedite
this and have a special meeting or not. Um, if we do, we will appropriately notice that. If no special meeting is noticed for the 13th, it's because we're planning to reconsider these on March 17th after in either case after the
planning board has an opportunity to review. So, it's just a matter of timing under the regulations that we have to kind of put this here. But if people were wondering why 13th or 17th, it's really just a matter of the deadline under the statute and and if we need to if we determine that we need to schedule
that earlier, we will and we'll let everybody know and of course the public will be notified, too. But I just want to give some explanation for that. >> Okay. City council, any updates or old business? >> Mr. Mayor, is this an opportunity for the solicitor to talk about the uh close
session at this time to get out of the way or we wait till the >> Oh, sure. I mean we we have we discussed the GW middle management collective bargaining uh successor agreement and that that is the addition uh additional
resolution on that council will all be considering. Um I think if the manager wants to provide some additional color to that we can do that when we get to the resolution. >> Great. Okay. Anything else council? On to ordinances for introduction.
>> Yes. So we have 600-2026 bond ordinance providing for various water or sewer utility improvements by and in the city of Kate May in the county of Kate May state of New Jersey appropriating $17,220,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance
of $17,220,000 of bonds or notes to the city to finance the cost thereof. I did want to just mention just for clarification, there was a copy and paste typo on the original agenda that so the amount varied slightly but I did
fix that today and the actual content of the ordinance that was uploaded was correct. So that is the correct amount 17,220,000. >> Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second?
>> I'll second. >> Roll call or I'm sorry, questions or comments? Did you want me to briefly describe the two projects that are part of that? So, there's two projects that are >> that we're going to use as authorization for these bonds. The the first project is I'll say phase 1A of the uh water
treatment plant uh reconstruction new water treatment plant. Uh so this will be both the building and pumps and impertinances, the utility connection for the electric service, um different storage tanks for the different
treatment chemicals that are needed uh for our water treatment facility. So it's you know initially we were talking about the water treatment building, but it's not just the shell of the building. It's it's a lot of different impertinances. Um as part of that there is um out of that appropriation we'll be
using $6 million of combination of grant and principal forgiveness. So that'll be reduced. The ultimate money that we would actually bond for and incur long-term debt would be less $6 million from that. Um the other project
uh that $3.2 $2 million was would be another round. Uh that's principal forgiveness for um around $3 million. So, it's really just over $250,000 of actual um long-term debt service on the project.
And that's going to be another round of road and street improvements on about three different streets uh that we've previously posted and discussed. >> Great. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Council,
>> roll call. >> Council member Meyer. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDeed. >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner. >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik. >> Yes. >> And just to emphasize, this is scheduled
to come back on March 31st. You'll recall council changed the April 7th meeting. We switched it to March 31st. So, this will come back for second reading and potential adoption on that date. So the next couple ordinances we are tableabling. Is
that correct? >> Solicitor Gilmore, do you have a recommended? >> I would suggest that we um open these for public comment and take them one by one, but they're noted here. We wouldn't consider them anyway because procedurally the planning board hasn't reviewed yet. They are listed for second
reading. So I would invite public comment also. >> So that just to be clear is that 591, 592, 593 and 5 No. >> No. Just >> 591, 592, 593. Correct. >> Correct. And and just to point out,
there will be an opportunity to for public comment again when these are on the agenda. >> Was anyone here wishing to speak on ordinance 591, 592, or 593? Seeing none, we'll close. Can I close public comment on all three?
>> Yes. >> Okay. Sure. >> Is everyone okay with that? No. No comments. >> We'll close public comment on 591, 592, 593. We don't need to table it. >> Uh, >> yeah. Yes. >> Yes. We should we should definitely table but I defer to the solicitor on the wording whether
>> I would just mo motion to table to >> either the a special meeting on March 13th or the regular meeting on March 17th pending adequate noticing being provided. >> Should we do that on each one individually?
>> You can do it collectively. >> Collectively. Can I have a motion on 591, 592, and 593 to either be at a special meeting on the 13th or our next council meeting >> on the 17th? Correct. >> Do I have a motion on that? >> I'll make a motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second.
>> Any questions or comments? Council. Roll call. >> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade? >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner, >> yes. >> Council member Baldwin, >> yes. >> Mayor Mullock, >> yes. Okay,
moving on to excuse me 594 2026 ordinance amending chapter 7 of the Cape May city code regarding metered parking fees at the Cape Island Baptist Church parking lot pursuant to the city use agreement and there is a public hearing tonight. Mayor, >> is anyone here wishing to speak on 594
Cape Island Baptist Church lot? Seeing none, we can close public comment. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. Any questions or comments, council? Roll call. >> Council member Mayer, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade, >> yes.
>> Council member Bodner, >> yes. >> Council member Baldwin, >> yes. >> Mayor Malik, >> yes. >> And 595-2026, ordinance of the city of Kate May, amending the revised general ordinances of the city to approve for restricted handicap parking space at or adjacent to 212 Stockton Place for Rebecca Walder
with a public hearing. >> Is anyone here wishing to speak on ordinance 595? Seeing none, we'll close public comment. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion. >> Do I have a second? >> A second. >> Any questions or comments, council? >> Roll call.
>> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade? >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner? >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin? >> Yes. >> Mayor Malik? >> Yes. >> Moving on to public portion on resolutions. Mayor, >> is anyone here wishing to speak on resolutions this evening? Mayor, before
they start, would you want me to just I think Council Meer had asked about the um the GW of the bargaining agreement, and if you just want me to just note some of the particulars of that just so that um what we're looking at was a three-year contract. Um there's eight
members in this bargaining unit. Uh and generally their salaries varied because of their obviously their titles all varied. Um and they're all listed individually within the proposed agreement. uh we're looking at a 3%
salary increase over the uh the subsequent two years of the contract. Other than that, there really no other substantive changes I'm going to say in the in the terms of theou. >> Okay. Any uh any other questions or comments on that council?
>> Anyone wishing to speak on resolutions this evening? >> One of the resolutions we're going to be talking about is the polar plunge. If you want to talk about that before we vote on it, if you want to just highlight it. Go go go right ahead, Sean.
>> And just please state your name for the record for us. >> Hi, my name is Sean Carney. Uh so every year in March for the past nine years, we do a annual Polar Plunge. This year, the charities we're benefiting are No Limits Academy um and NextGen 30,
uh sorry, No Limits Academy is a year-round youth development center, uh serving youth 7 to 19 years old in Cape May County. Um they show up every Monday through Friday, 2:30 to 8:30 using boxing,
mentorship, structure to build disciplined, confident, and accountable young people. So that's the No Limits Academy charity. The next one is NextGen 30 which exists to perform 30 acts of kindness annually in the community that Jenny Farnen loved prioritizing the
health and education of young people in Kate May County. Uh, basically we have a weekend of events starting on Friday where we do a beef and beer fundraiser, uh, 6 pm and then we have a beer Olympics at 10 p.m. Um, following into the next day,
Saturday, I'm sorry, that was Friday, March 13th this year. Uh, which then follows into Saturday, March 14th, and we start off with a block party, which I believe is what's in question. Um, where we're going to have vendors, food,
drink. Uh it's free to attend, but all the money we raise for the plunge, which is jumping into the water, the run and the walk, will go to those charities. All of those funds are handled by No Limits Academy and NextGen30. None of
those funds are handled by Carney. There was some questioning about the weekends called Carney's Career Extravaganza. That is not the nonprofit. The nonprofit is No Limits Academy and NextGen 30, which is why they're handling all the funds. So, anyone who signs up for those
events, anyone who comes to the beef and beer event, the beer Olympics, all those funds go directly to those two charities. Uh, so going back to that Saturday, we have the block party kicks everything off at 9:00 a.m. with a boozy brunch and then
we have the 5K run and the onem walk at 11:00 a.m. and then that leads into the plunge at 12:30 which there's an Irish blessing which the mayor knows very well. Um, and everyone runs out into the water at which point everyone kind of comes back and it's one big celebration
of caries. Again, the whole purpose of this weekend in March, um where there's not a lot of people around, that's kind of why we're asking to kind of expand the event. Gives us an opportunity to raise more money and really grow it. Um it's in March. Uh we do have security
measures. I think that was in question. Um and we spoke to the chief about this and local law enforcement. Uh when we spoke to them, we said we'd have two security members on each end of the block from Jackson to Decar and then local enforcement will take care of the
prominade. We'll also have one floater in between the block uh just going back and forth. Um we'll have one by the tent that we have outside that's serving uh alcohol and we'll be IDing people along with our ID machine. It's called Token
Works. Anyone who's 21 will have a wristband on so it'll be easy for security to identify them as well. That way that's another reason why we have the floater going back and forth. Anyone with a drink that's possibly in their hand doesn't have an ID, that will be dealt with immediately.
Um, anything else that we can do to uh kind of make everyone happy, more than welcome to. Again, this is all for charity. Um, and that's the big goal for Carnese. >> That's great. Thank you, Sean. >> Okay. Any questions or comments?
>> How many years is this now? >> Nine. This is nine. Would be 10, but co >> Wow. >> So, >> I remember when he first brought this up. >> Yeah. >> Different time. But yeah, it's it's gr really grown to a great thing and we've had different charities involved and I
think NextGen 30 we had last year. This year will be the first year we have no limits and I really think we've found the perfect mix of two charities that really do a lot of good for the community. And if anyone's not aware of them, I recommend you to look into them. They're I just think they're great and I think this is for a great cause and it
really affects the comm community locally. >> Very cool. >> Thank you very much, Sean. Appreciate it. >> Council, the applicant has received the necessary approvals from the county as well. Of course, it's a county road, so >> That's great. >> We have the county's blessing. >> Thank you. No problem.
>> Thank you. >> Any other uh public comment on resolutions this evening? Seeing none, we'll close public comment. Do I have a motion? >> Is there anything to remove from the consent agenda, council, or are we are you good?
>> Anything to remove, council? >> No. >> All right. >> Okay. >> Do I have a motion? >> Make a motion on the consent agenda. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Roll call. >> Moren, >> you're okay. One second. Sorry, there's
some background noise. I'm gonna back on speaker. >> Council member Meyer. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade. >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner. >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik. >> Yes.
>> All right. On to mayoral appointments. >> Let me catch up here. Thank you. Good luck. Good luck. >> Okay. Um I'm honored to make a couple appointments at the recommendation of of a couple uh council members and I want
to thank um these volunteers for their willingness um for the environmental commission, Dr. Rose Trefocante as alternate number two. Thank you, doctor. Um Tony McCaulay uh for alternate one
and moving up is uh Jennifer Kohler. Thank thank you very much, Jennifer. Um so that does uh fill out the entire environmental commission. So thank you and um Steve, thank you for helping find some good people for the environmental
commission. I think we're the only we're missing one seat on the shade tree commission. >> Just for public uh notice if anyone would like to join the shade tree commission. We are looking for one more appointment. So if you know anybody
spread the word thank >> and a residenc have to be a Kate May resident by state mandate. So, >> so mayor, mayor, I just want to add that, you know, you put out the call as far as four members for the environmental commission and there was there was a quite a response uh there
was a lot of interest. So, um appreciative of people residing in Cape Me um being interested to uh contribute, you know, to uh to the organization. So, thank you >> and thank you, doctor. All right, on to new business. City solicitor.
>> Nothing tonight. Thank you, >> city manager. Well, I think I already spoke sufficiently in the first part of the meeting, but so I have nothing left to say. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> city clerk. >> Um, >> yes. So, it is mercantile season,
everybody. We are hopeful that the email containing merkantile license renewal invoices should be going out by the end of the week. Just have to work a little bit more with SDL to to tweak it. Um, if anybody does not get an email from my
office, likely from the licensing account by mid-March, please reach out separately, okay? We can always shoot you a separate email. We can mail it to you. We'll find another way. Um, but we are hopeful that they will go out by the end of the week. And of course, they are
due back April 30th, everybody. >> And that's it, council. >> Okay, council members. Uh, council member Baldwin. Um just one thing uh we've met about the uh open house that we've discussed here at this table. Um
and that is going to happen on May the 20th. So if you want to mark your calendars and it'll be an open house at um convention hall. Um Steve and I have been working on this along with Casey and all of the other boards and commissions. >> That's great. >> They'll be represented well there. Um
and uh yeah, everyone's invited. Uh what? 5 to 7 I think. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> That's great. >> That's all. >> Thank you. Uh Councilman Bodner, >> uh I just want to highlight it's been an exciting time for the Cape May Police
Department over the past uh really few weeks. I mean, first Chief Fashaw was appointed president of the Chiefs of Police Association. um someone who absolutely deserves that um that honor and that responsibility. So, it's a really credit to to the
chief. Um, additionally, this past Friday, uh for those that had a chance to attend Captain Bobic's walk out and his final call, I mean, it was just a a great event. one to celebrate um the career of a 30-year police officer and
somebody who's achieved so much, but also um just to be to be present and to be included in such an event uh was just uh really neat and it was great to see his a number of his colleagues there from the police department, fire department, other first responders,
members of the community. um seeing him walk out. It was just a as I said real um it was a really really nice event. And we also rolling into this past Monday um we had promotions within the police department. Um congratulations to
Captain Walker, Lieutenant Christinger, Sergeant Mahal, and Sergeant Gibson. They're going to be um I mean the very well- reggarded and accomplished police officers in the department. uh their responsibilities are going to be increasing and we're fortunate to have
them and I'm glad that um Ben Kay is going to continue to benefit from you know from their leadership and their new roles and wish them the best. >> That's great. Um does deputy mayor want to put
Mr. Meyer, >> I was just going to say a little bit of what the deputy mayor said, you know, uh, you know, including police and fire. She did mention OEM. Um I it was nice to see it was it was a warm feeling to see police officers helping
>> senior citizens out of the house and uh >> just you know just wonderful to see. >> So thank you. >> I I echo all that. Um and Councilman Meyer I I saw a couple times out there where there were police officers helping people out of their homes and everything and it's just so nice to know we're part
of the a small community that can do that. And um and again I echo all the congratulations to the police department chief. It starts from the top. Everything you've done is is really been awesome and and it definitely has trickled down from there. Um and um a
special congratulations to our new sergeants and Captain Walker. Um Lieutenant Chrisinger. Uh you we are in very good hands with them. And and a special thank you to Captain Bobic on his retirement. Um and it was great to see his family here and everything. That
was u and I think he would tell you he was a little emotional closing closing out there which was really beautiful because you could see how much he cares about the community which which is awesome to have those types of people um protecting us is is is amazing and and
again I I just have to say a special thank you again to OEM and DPW all the hard work police and fire over the last few days uh last couple weeks really with this storm they have been so busy and uh and did a great job. So, thanks a
lot. And and to the public, thank you for your patience. Um we wish uh we wish we could get Atlantic City Electric to fix up uh things this quicker than they do. But in in their defense, one of the big issues, as the city manager could tell you, was a lot of these were
individual lines, not like one location that could be fixed. It was a lot of uh limbs that took down one line here and there. So it it just took a while to get everything uh repaired and um of course Cape May not being the only place where there was a lot of limbs down. Uh they
were working all over the state really and and beyond. >> But but I think you could also say like driving throughout the county during those you know that whole week I saw you know at least three or four other companies from Tennessee, Illinois that
were here helping Electric. So, it wasn't just Lance Electric >> crews doing the repairs. They did mobilize, you know, out of state contractors to come in and help them, you know, try to bring back power as quickly as they could. I know it was
probably frustrating for some people that were without power for 2, three days in some cases, but you know, I you know, like as the mayor said, it was difficult to get to some of those spots. And um I think they did about as best as they could considering the situation.
>> And Justin, special thanks to you too on the OEM side of things. You really uh really did a great job. Yeah. With that, we'll open it up for public comment. Anyone wishing to speak on any and all matters. Chief, if you want to go first. >> While Chief is coming up, forgive me if
I missed it, but did we detail the class one planning board appointment? Mayor, >> the mayor's designation of the class one planning board member. >> Help me out here. >> So, >> sorry. >> Okay.
>> Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. I Okay. I didn't see that. >> Okay. Um, also, uh, thank you, Steve Bodner. Um, I'm appointing him to the planning board as my designate. So, thank you for your
willingness to serve, Steve. >> Sure. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Sorry. With that, >> thank you, chief. Sorry. >> Now, you're good. Got to get business done. Um, a couple little things. Um, first and foremost, uh, thank you for the acknowledgement for all of the the the first responders at DPW. Um, my
staff, the fire department staff. There's a lot of things that go on, a lot of engagement prior to a storm. we hear a storm come in, our OEM team is is prompt to react. Um led by Mike Eck DC, um Justin Riggs on there, Frank McCcluskey, huge shout out to those guys
um for stepping up and doing I've been here a long time. It's what we normally do, but for these guys to come in and engage that quickly is huge. So, it's not just the police and fire. It's it's that team behind OEM, Deputy Mayor McDade, this council allowing us to do it because it's never a question of well, do you have the funds to do it?
You know, it all comes back to Miss Reed. She pays the bills. We got to do it all things. So, um, when I travel from lower township in here to work and the roads are as clear as they can be when they are, you might have pile up in your front yard, but, uh, and we did dig some other people out and, you know, some of the community, but they called,
we answered. Um, and only reason we did it versus the fire department they were shoveling hydrants, you know, I mean, so we took most of those calls, but the fire department was shoveling out hydrants. Huge thing because they were just ready to engage if there was a fire in the the class one districts. And you know, that's one of the things that um
Chief Coulter and Chief EC and that guy and the guys at the firehouse did. So um you know, and that's that snow was heavy. It wasn't, you know, so shoveling out 3x3 on on on several several hydrants in this community is huge. So I did go give those guys a shout out because I did drive by them and beep the horn a couple times. Um but I was doing
driveways and everything else. But like I said, this it's not just that you're you're first responders. It starts here at this deck because you allow us to do what we're doing. Um and and that's huge for us. So, um the other thing too is um as Sean was talking about no limits and um NextGen, NextGen's a very u very very
good program as well. Um working with that family over the years and knowing Jenny from years back, huge thing. I want to move forward and and kind of invite this council to No Limits Academy. We've talked about it several times. We've been back and forth. I want to I want you guys to see what you're
actually um allowing to come here in Kate May because this all benefits those those groups. Um, but there's a a group that some of your kids here locally go to for their boxing gym. And and like Sean said, it's it's more than just a gym where kids hang out. There's 80 to 120 kids a night, all summer, all all
winter long that attend this gym. Um, and it's impactful. I mean, you have that's that amount of children that are are not in Walmart breaking into things, doing stupid things. It's a very it's it's a YMC on steroids. Josh Marcato and his team um a phenomenal thing. I'm very proud of it. our officers and several
officers in the county um and departments attended. So, at some point, I like the field trip or maybe one or two of you to come over individually without violating the Sunshine Act and all that kind of good stuff. But, it's something I want you guys to see because it's it's important because you guys actually from the background support it
because everything I do is because you allow me to do it. So, it's not just Deacon doing it or the police department. It it I need you to see what you're doing because you're doing good work and and looking >> every time Chief asks me if I want to >> It's always conflict. We're just busy. But I I would seriously like you know
all you know anybody from the council just you know we just get in the car and we drive over there one evening you got there's a certain time of the day you got to be there to see it because you know these kids are showing up at 4 four 3:00 4:00 we bust them from middle we bust them from Kate May we bring them in cell phones drop at the door and we get
to work. Um and these are very very good kids. I'm very proud of them. Um and I think you know it's it's more than just me supporting them. You guys support them. I need you to see what you're doing. So that's important for me to do. at some point maybe this spring or whatever just you know or before the school ends because it's very packed and
and see it and and see what we're doing there because I think it would be beneficial to all of you just to >> I don't know if you heard Councilman Bodner but he said if you want to talk about the police budget we can go to the boxing ring and talk about that. >> I don't want to get knocked out by this crew. Um but yeah that that too. Like I said you guys support that as well but
um >> thank you chief. >> But no I appreciate all your hard work and everything else. So thanks. >> Thank you. Anyone else tonight? Stacy Sheen, 928 Columbia Avenue. Um, my question has to do with the $17 million bond for the water utility. I guess my
question is, is that coming out of the um that's going to go be bonded through the water utility? I'm sorry. Can you get by your mic? Um if Miss Reed Yeah. Go ahead and press that button and bring it nice and close to you, please. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Could you repeat the question? I wasn't quite sure.
>> Yes. That um $17 million bond for the diesel building, I guess, and the sewer that is going to be going through the water utility. >> Yes. >> And do we have to have a certain amount in there to cover the cost of the bonds?
Um, no. We I mean we passed it. We put a supplemental debt statement. Uh, >> I'm sorry, what? >> A supplemental debt statement. It It shows what we're allowed to sort of bond against. Um, and we're well within limits. So, >> okay. Did you have to have signed off that the money is available to go for the bonding or anything like you do for
resolutions for paying certain? >> Uh, no. It's just the supplemental debt statement that has to be prepared and then submitted to DCA. >> Okay. >> And to the clerk. >> So, I guess my question now is I guess for the council. So this amount I think it was it was estimated was going to cost over 30 million. This is only 17
million. So where's that rest of that money coming from? So we're we looked at doing this project in phases because obviously you know it's going to take that long but also we're trying to still shore up other
funding sources. So uh for phase one uh which is part of the treatment facility uh it's going to cover that portion. We're looking at $6 million worth of I'm going to pull up my thing so I can It'll cover We'll have $6 million worth
of $3 million worth of principal forgiveness and another $3 million worth of federal grants to cover that section of it. Um the the next section we're hoping to have um >> so that's 10 million, right? I think it was for 14 million. >> Yes.
>> Are we short 4 million there? and you're when you were saying different things >> and then we're and then we're looking at for the um in the subsequent year we'll be putting forth around $6.5 million uh where three and a half million or 3 million will be another principal forgiveness from the New Jersey in
infrastructure bank. Um that would be for the iron removal treatment process. Um, concurrently, uh, we're anticipating continue to work with our congressional, uh, delegation, uh, to continue to get, uh, word of funding, uh, from the Army
Corps of Engineers for another $9.5 million. Uh, they've committed $500,000 this year, um, to kind of prep their plan, but, they feel that in their work plan for next year that they will be able to um, construct that nine and a
half million. Uh, and we'll probably have to have a match of another 3 million for that portion of the project. Um, and then the final phase three would be rehabbing the um the old building and removing all the infrastructure out of
that old building as well as installing energy efficiency uh measures and solar and emergency generator for the facility. Um, which will have another $2 million worth of principal for forgiveness on a $4 million bond. So, >> okay. So I guess want to go back to my
first question just I just want to look at phase one >> phase one >> with the 17 million. >> Yes. >> So I guess only 14 million is for the dowl plant. Correct. >> Correct. And 3 and 3.2 is >> for the water and sewer. Okay. Let's just talk about the 14 million. Yep.
>> So you said um how much in grants and how much is that matching that we would have to put towards? >> So we're doing three million in grants and three million in principal forgiveness. So we are we do have that grant or that three million that we had to put towards
that. >> There's match to those grants, but we're we'll be spending much more than that, you know, because we're going to have >> I just didn't know what the actual $14 million. How much of it is going to be paid by the taxpayers?
>> 14 million. >> That's six. So, we're saying we're bonding for 14 million, but we're only going to be really using $6 million for the taxpayers to pay towards that. >> No, the other way around. We're going to get out of that 14 million, we'll have $6 million worth of principal
forgiveness and grants. >> So, then it's 8 million. >> Yes. >> That's coming out of the taxpayers. >> Yes. >> For the phase one only. >> Correct. And it's not just the taxpayers, it's also our bulk users
that that that buy our water. So it's not it's not just the resident as a rateayer, it's it's all of the other bulk users that buy bulk water. >> What is what is phase one exactly? Again, >> the water treatment, >> just water treatment, >> the building and the other impertinances
that go into that building. There's the interconnect piping, the pumps, the electric service connection. >> That's all phase one. That's all part of phase one. >> Okay. Thank you, Paul. I appreciate that. >> Thank you. And and it's anticipated before we go out like once the engineers
come up with the final plans, we're going to present obviously the final set of plans for this phase and we'll discuss how that that funding how we're going to deal with that funding, how that will impact uh water rates for both city users and our bulk users. So, we'll
be making a full presentation on those things. at that. But we just kind of need to set the bonding up so that we can kind of keep the moving the project moving so that we can get be eligible for this the principal forgiveness for the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank um and have this
project continue to move forward. Anyone else on anything else this evening? Seeing none, we'll close public comment. Thank you everybody. Have a wonderful evening. Thanks a lot. >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you.
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