All right. Good evening. 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, December 2nd, 2025. The time is now 4:35. 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 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 McDeade >> here. >> Council member Meyer >> here. >> Mayor Mullik >> here. >> City solicitor Gillan Schwarz >> here. >> City Manager Dietrich >> here. >> Deputy Clerk Turner >> here. >> And we have one resolution. It's 328-12-2025.
A resolution providing for a meeting not open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA 104-12. This is for discussion and presentation on riskmanagement consultant position and I do believe there is a recommendation to potentially add
another topic for discussion. >> If council wants to consider uh I I would recommend adding discussion and status of the police shared services agreement discussions with West Kate May and Kate May point given that we're heading into the end of the year. It is
a time-sensitive matter. I don't anticipate recommending any formal action as a result of that discussion, but I do want to bring council up to speed on those items in close session if we have time. >> Any mayor, do you want a motion to uh add that to the agenda?
>> Should we do? Yeah, please. I'll make that motion. >> I'll second call. >> Roll call on both. >> We'll add it and then we'll adopt. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Roll call, please. >> Council member Meyer. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDeade. >> Yes. Council member Bodner, >> yes. >> Council member Baldwin,
>> yes. >> Mayor Mullik, >> yes. >> All right. And resolution, I'm sorry, a motion to adopt resolution 328. I'll >> make a motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Roll call. >> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDeade? >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner? >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin?
>> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik? >> Yes. >> Public portion. Mayor, >> anyone here wishing to speak on this resolution? >> Seeing none, we'll close public comment and go into close session. Time is 4:37. Good evening everyone. We apologize. We
are running late coming out of a closed session, but we thank you for your patience. We're going to get started in just a couple minutes. Okay. Okay. Good evening everyone. We are coming out of a closed session uh in which we will not be taking any formal
action. So no announcements on that. Right, city solister? Okay. Um do I have a motion to close the close session? >> I'll make the motion. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. With that, we can open up our regular meeting of the city council of
the city of Kate May. We are here in the Cape May city hall auditorium. Today is Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025. The time is now regretfully 5:54. Please join me for the pledge of allegiance.
I pledge allegiance 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 and posted on the city website and city 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. >> Council member Meyer >> here. >> Mayor Mullik >> here. >> City Cister Gillan Schwarz >> here. >> City Manager Dietrich >> here. >> Deputy Clerk Turner >> here. >> Any additions or deletions tonight, council? >> Any additions or deletions, council?
>> No. Okay, we can move right on to our beach tag competition winners. And again, thank you everyone for your patience. Um, city manager, you want to take it away? >> Yes. So, uh, this year we had a ton of great entries for all the different
categories from our local schools. And, uh, it was a very hard to sift through and pick some of winners, but unfortunately, we did have to pick a winner for each of our individual tags. And, and here's what we have this evening. So, I'm going to ask um Hannah
Stevenson to come up. She was the winner of our seasonal tag for this year. So, come on over. I've got a certificate. So, this is the uh the tag. So, for Hannah, we have a a large scale
to take home. Uh if you think you can get on the beach with this, but you know, you'll get to have this. Um, you get a gift certificate presentation. So, we want you
>> Congratulations. That's wonderful. >> Congratulations. And I want you to stand right here next to your >> congratulations. Nice job, Hannah. So, next up we have uh Lena Shapansky for the veteran active duty. We're a little out of order on the agenda. So,
if you're watching it, veteran. So, here is our winner. So, if I could have Lena come on up and we'll get a picture with Lena. Congratulations. Here's that. >> Congratulations. >> So, come on over.
>> You can take your jacket off for sure. >> You just throw it right on that chair. >> An artist. You have to >> Great job. Great job. Great job. All right. And not but least, can we
have Anthony Monahan? He was our weekly tag winner. up. That's awesome. >> Good job. You're great work. Come on up, Anthony. Let's let's get a group picture. Everybody stand next to their tag.
>> Congratulations. Oh, and and feel free to take your tag with you. If you want to take your tag with you, you can take you can take them. >> Very cool. Congrats, guys. Thank you. I think everyone's going to be thrilled. Congratulations. >> And obviously these tags are now on sale
at the tax collector's office. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Um, parents and families, uh, you could you're welcome to stay for our budget meeting and and and, uh, be bored out of your minds if you'd like, but otherwise you're welcome to, uh, be dismissed and
hopefully go home and get a great dinner. But wonderful work everybody. We have, I think, probably the prettiest beach tags you could ask for of any shore town. So, we we thank you all so very much. It's beautiful. Thank you. How about one more round of appl applause? [applause] And as the uh city manager said, beach
tags do make a wonderful uh stocking stuffer and they are on sale now at a reduced rate. So make sure you get your seasonal beach tags now. Thanks again everybody. Have a wonderful evening. Okay, with that we have the uh are we
doing the Washington Street Mall uh next? I that's they're not here yet. Thank you. Yeah. >> All right. Good evening everyone. I'm Carolyn Zabowski. I'm the treasurer of
the Washington Street Mall Company and I'm here to present our um 2026 budget. >> Before you begin, I just want to thank you for all your hard work on this. Uh this is not a paid position if anyone doesn't know. So we we appreciate all your hard work that you put into this
every year. So fast. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um so for 2026 we are expecting um 72,675 in assessments. So far we have made 221490
$221,490 in the um memorial brick program and we are planning to use $11,000 of surplus in 2026 which gives us a total of $35,66 of budget funds. Um, we're budgeting
$16,000 for administrative and professional expenses, $1,000 for our memberships, $100,000 to mall enhancement projects. This includes bigger items like tree trimming, um, the lighting on the trees and the mall, um,
our irrigation systems, etc. Um, $60,000 for decor and maintenance. These are the seasonal plantings and any smaller um decor expenses which arise. Um we have figured out our memorial
brick installation program. Um so we do it twice a year and it costs us um about $8,000 a time. So we have $16,000 budgeted for the brick program, $8,000 for advertising, 13,000 for events, $8,000 for our website and social media.
um 2,000 for uncollected assessments um $1,000 for miscellaneous and just over $80,000 um for future programs. We're still figuring out what we want to do. And I would like to say thank you to
the clerk's office. Um we had 100% of our assessments collected this year. So that's amazing. So thank you. Do you guys have any questions for me? >> Any questions, council? No, but thank you again. And um the mall really just
looks beautiful. >> The mall looks amazing. The fall plantings were I think the best that they've been. And the new uh planter box is coming along nicely. So, it's going to be great. >> Great work. >> Great. Thank you. >> So, we are we uh voting on this at this point?
>> Yes. There is resolution 329-125, a resolution introducing and approving the 2026 budget of the Washington Street Mall business improvement district for the city of Cape May. >> Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions or comments, council?
>> No. But great job on the brick program. Congratulations. >> Yeah. Congrats. >> Uh, roll call, please. >> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDeade? >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner? >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin? >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik? >> Yes. >> Wonderful.
All right, moving on to the Oh, um, the presentation from Ms. Maggario is being removed this evening. We anticipate that that might come back in the new year. That's correct. So then moving on to the uh del project update with CME.
>> Okay. We have a couple folks here from CME if you would mind. Welcome. >> Thank you very much for being here. >> Happy holidays. It's good to be back here. Good to see you. and we're happy to go through and continue to report on
this important project for you. Mike Dubc is the project manager that has been working closely with uh your administrator and with your staff. Um and he's going to go through and give you a more detailed presentation of
exactly where we're at. Um we indicated to you that our goal was to try and get have all your permits by the end of the year. Good news is that we have all but your land use permit which is projected to come in in the first or second week
in January. But we are on the clock with the DP at this point in time. So um once we go through and get that you're going to be in good shape. We the next phase of the project as you know is to go through and do the final design so that
we can go through and bid it. We have a preliminary design for everything but a final design and the project phases have been the first phase is going to be the building and the iron removal. Um the second phase was the reverse osmosis and
the third phase was solar and some of the electrical site improvements that have to happen. And the reason that the breakdown came down like that is because of the funding that we're all waiting for from the Army Corps isn't going to be available this year. it's not going
to be available until next year. So the belief is, and this is working with your administrator, he made the recommendation, well, let's move forward with the project. Let's get the building up. Let's get it set up. Let's get the iron removal in, and then next year
we'll have a building that we can install the reverse osmosis in. So Mike, >> thank you everyone. Um, yes, we've progressed the design to about 70% at this point. Um we've gone been going through regulatory agencies uh primarily
with the D seeking approvals. Uh we have approval from soil conservation. Uh the NJ D bureau of water system engineering. Um they're primarily review the processes and the the treatment uh equipment that's proposed here. Um we
obtained that approval a few months ago. Um we have the D historic preservation approval. Um they had us do two cultural resources investigations on the site. Um one was uh a re a physical review of the
site um at the surface. Um and that also in included doing some uh background research on the history of the uh facility. And then the second uh requirement was them was actually go out there and physically excavate um holes down to the native earth below the uh the area where the new treatment
building is uh located. Um they want to [clears throat] make sure there's no artifacts or other his you know historic objects but nothing was found in the area. Um and then the last is as Dave said uh land use uh which uh we're on the 90-day clock for D to uh respond to
[clears throat] us. So I think January 11th is the day they have until um to hear back from them. Uh so that's coming. Um at this point um this is the uh the site and just a little background the facility has two primary water
supplies. Um one is the Atlantic City Sands wells. There's three wells in that aquifer. Um those are the wells that require desalination. Um and then the other one is the one well in the Cohansancy aquifer uh which has avoided uh saltwater contamination
but does have iron. Um so the initial phase would be to address the cohansancy well. Um the building right there that's the building. Um it's going to be pro proposed in the existing parking lot area. Um
we we're going to uh maintain the existing treatment plant building. Um put a new building. It's about 100 by 100 approximately the building size. Um and maximize parking space as best we can on the site. Uh here's the uh the building layout here. Um
the phase >> Mike excuse me can you just grab the mic moves if you don't mind. Thank you. So everybody get here >> the uh the initial phase would be the building structure the electrical room the office control room um iron removal systems here chemical feed rooms down
here. Uh the only thing that won't be constructed in the in initial phase is the RORO equipment which is along this wall here. And this is the ARO um clean clean cleaning equipment here um that that'd be pushed off to the second phase.
>> In accordance with your direction, you wanted to go through and make sure this building is flexible enough to be able to be expanded in the future. You have provisions for three here and if you needed to put in a fourth ever station.
>> Yep, that's correct. Yeah, your your limiting capacity right now or currently is your treatment process um with this would be your your water supply source from the from the ground from the from the wells. Um this is a uh a proposed rendering for the building. Um
uh pretty much a a memo building and we're going to bring a uh uh poured in place with a brick facade up to uh about 4 feet above the finished floor elevation. >> Yeah. And that and that four feet is to allow for flood resiliency.
>> That's correct. And we're still tweaking the front of this. We may go through and modify these windows cuz this up and this down during the final design. We'll come back to you with one that's that's further um
refined. But this is going to be close to what we see. >> Yeah. And uh yeah, regarding flood resiliency, the proposed finished floor elevation right now is currently 2 feet above the 500y year flood elevation. And
with that additional uh concrete um uh around the bottom fourt, uh flood barriers can be installed to get it up to six feet above the fire. >> Mike, it might show it on there. Uh h how much higher is that than the current building? It looks like the elevation's on there.
>> It's um I believe it's three feet. >> Three feet. That's why we just showed you. >> Yeah. And I appreciate that. >> Yep. Yep. >> Yes. You're three feet above the existing finished floor. >> Uh yeah, this is the uh overall process
schematic. Um we simplified it um just for the presentation. Uh but the bottom half here is phase one. This is the iron removal and the top half is that be phase two. the uh the RORO >> wells
cartridge filters pumping units reverse most >> anything else >> no just so the in in the end the four phases are proposed to be the iron removal system followed by the RO um that'll be followed by emergency
generator and solar panels and then the fourth and final phase would be site restoration Any questions? Council, >> I have one quick question. The top of concrete, we were just talking about the flood elevation. The top of concrete in the existing building, there is a um uh
a sunken part of it. >> Um yeah, yeah, something. Is that Is there going to be something like that in this building? >> In ours? >> Yep. In ours, there are going to be certain
areas that are basically um concrete trenches that carry utilities in it that will be covered with either fiberglass grading or other grading. And that's only so that we could go through and have a place to go through and put the
pipes that we need for the second contract in because we're building the building in the first contract. So, there are going to be wells, okay? But they're going to be covered and the floor should be smooth in those areas
where the actual uh uh membrane units are. Uh we're still going to decide during the final design of that aspect whether we put in a drainage system there or whether we
slightly recess that area to be able to collect any condensation and then carry it away. But in this plant, we're also going to have de a dehumidifying system so that we don't have to rely on or we don't have to experience all of that
water being accumulated. So, those are things that we'll take care of in the final design. >> Thank you. >> Did I get that right? >> Yep. >> Okay, [laughter] >> that's great, Dave. Thank you very much. Anything else, Council >> Mike? Thank you. Um, I think um really a
great update. I mean, just a highlight that we did receive D approval, which is a big step, obviously. >> Yeah. And I I do think um a lot of people who attend council meetings know we were included in a for $40 million in
the word bill. We'll see how much we actually get in the long run. But I think um phasing this in a way that kind of matches the grant process and and frankly the funding process makes a lot
of sense and I think leaves us in a good position to to you know we've made some upgrades to the current um with obviously with your um uh um expertise um made certain upgrades to the existing plant to make sure that that's well and
functioning for the next few years. Um, but then to be able to have the uh addition of iron removal, I don't know how many million gallons uh you could rely on from >> 1 million a day. What What's our daily uh Rob
>> in the summer? >> Yeah. Peak >> 2.4 average in the summer. >> So to be able to have kind of close to half on your highest days is obviously in and of itself is a major upgrade. Um, so, um, I I I like the plan. Yeah, I
think I think it makes a lot of sense. >> Yeah, I think the total capacity of the plant's going to be about four million 4.2 million gallons a day. Um, firm capacity if one of the RO filters out of service is going to be 3.2 >> and you'll have room for >> that's great
because it was his suggestion to sorry about that. It was his suggestion to go through and phase the iron removal because we were dealing with how do we go through and delay this project any further. We don't want to delay it. But when we heard that the $40 million we
couldn't get this year, we wouldn't be able to get it till 27. We said there has to be something done and Paul came up with the idea to go through and say let's get this thing started, build it, then we can put the other facilities in
later. Perfect. Great. Great work, Paul. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anything else, folks? >> Thank you guys very much. We appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you, everyone. >> Yep. >> Okay. On to updates to old business.
City manager, any updates on old business? >> I have nothing this evening to keep the meeting. >> City solicitor, >> I don't have anything tonight. Mayor, thank you. >> City Council, any updates or old business? Okay, on to the public portion on resolutions this evening. Anyone
wishing to speak on resolutions this evening? Rob, thank you very much and uh and thank you. We don't get to see you often, but thank you for another wonderful season and uh please pass along our thanks to your whole whole department. Thank you.
>> Great work. >> Happy holidays. >> Thanks, Dave. Anyone wishing to speak on uh resolutions this evening, please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. I see >> Stacy Sheen, 928 Columbia Avenue. Um my first question has to do with the the
transfers for resolution 332-12 2025 and it it's uh my concern is the beach utility fund which I know is a utility so therefore everything that goes in has to be paid through the whole
utility. My concern is with roads. I didn't know roads was part of the beach utility for be taking money out >> within the beach utility that there's a buildings line a roads line within that >> there is a roads line because I knew there was police and fire but I didn't
know there was actually a road >> there was actual line item in that utility for that >> um my next question has to do with um Delaware Avenue I guess at Delaware Avenue um I was a little confused about
a few Do we have a plan on what they're going to do to prevent the erosion on that road? >> Well, that is what the whole project is about is um that whole revetment is is designed to prevent erosion. So that's >> right. Do we have a design? And what's
the design? Is it going to put rocks on the side of the >> It's a gabon baskets. So it's a um rocks, you know, smaller >> just like on the canal. >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. And how far up is that going to go? to the all the way to the yach club or
not quite there or >> right up to the yach club >> to their to their deck of the yach club that >> I'd have to double check the limits of how close it gets up there but I know it comes I think it comes right up into their property I believe so but I have to double check the plan >> okay you have only because they do have
a beach there I didn't know if you were taking away the beach there because I do a lot of their um sail fishing off the beach and I didn't know if that was going to affect that >> do you think we could get a >> you're do you think we could get a um a presentation from the Army Corps at some
point. It's been years. >> I can I can reach out to them to see if they can come down to do a presentation. I know they're getting real close to to going out to bid for this project. So, it's a I can see if they can come down to do a presentation. >> Just some material that we could even share ourselves. What whatever might >> I can make I mean I that's why I was
just double checking our website. I thought I had put >> I can put the plans. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I have draft plans on our website. And does it show where it goes to? >> Give me a >> Okay, >> give me um >> if you want to continue on, I'll >> Yeah, I'll you just keep going with
that. Um >> and a part of that this is for I guess Mr. Gillan Schwarz is giving the this some of this land to the county. Is that what they're doing? >> It's a it's an easement. >> Just an easement. Okay. Because it said something about assess value and I
wasn't sure where that went to with >> Yeah. I mean the candidly the the county um offered up and indicated look if you wanted to talk about consideration that would be a more involved process between
the two entities. There is a time factor for them in coordination with the army corps to plan and execute this project. Part of it is to secure the easements. What the city did is in lie of consideration, it went back to the
county and confirmed two things really to to confirm the narrowness of these easements. It's really tied to this project so that the city retains use, control, and dominion over its property. And it's not as if
the county is going to put up a ice cream stand out there or something like that. And that clarification is in the revised easement agreements that are in the council's packet. So with that assurance that the county was really limiting the scope of the easement to
this project and maintaining that uh council was more comfortable with proceeding with a no consideration um uh concept based on the the relative benefit to the city of having this reventment there.
My next question with that type of wall that they're going to be putting there, is that going to be above the roadway? Are we going to be seeing that come up higher? >> You will. >> And how high will be coming up from the beach up into that roadway? >> I'm going to answer your first question
as far as the limits. It goes about halfway up into that beach area. >> Okay. >> Before the um Let me So, it's not on the It's not on the yach club's property then. >> No, it's not on the yacht club's property itself.
>> And how does it Okay, go ahead. I'll let you finish because I know we rent place out to the um >> it's only about maybe a foot or two higher than the shoulder elevation. >> So, it's going to be like two feet
higher. Now, how's that going to work with getting the kayaks and the other things that we rent out at the nature center? >> At the nature center, there's going to be a a walkway and a a a new ramp, like a little dock for them to have at that location. >> Okay. Is there a reason why they went 2
feet above or and not just kept it level? Because we know there's no flooding there. >> Just the average elevation. That's what they decided to do. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else on resolutions
this evening? >> Good evening. Jules Rash, 1010 New York Avenue. >> Good evening. >> Um, talking about the the water plant. Um, will CME be the construction manager or will there be a separate management company that oversees that project?
>> That hasn't been decided yet. Well, I think it's always wise to have somebody independent as opposed to the same people that design it uh to do the to do the the review and and and kind of have somebody looking at a different
position. >> I mean, what I will say is that there will probably be I'll be recommending a constant full-time inspection during the process. So regardless if it's CME or an outside construction management firm, there'll
be const, you know, it won't be limited observation. They'll have daily observations of work activities. >> That's frankly the way it should be done as you know, Paul. Um, will there be much fill brought in to increase the
elevation for the new facility or is it going to be just a wall that provides the uh the flood barrier? They'll have to I mean obviously as as CMA stated they're going to have to raise that up. So two to three feet. So
I don't think there's going to be enough fill generated from just excavating the foundations. So I'm sure there's going to be fill that's going to be required to bring on site. >> Yeah, that that certainly getting an elevation in that area would be advisable. Um
and um do we have any kind of an estimate at this point as to how much how many dollars does the city actually has put into the project and how much of it is grant? >> Up until now I think probably 90% of it
has been grant funded for >> it was a $600,000 grant initially. Is that correct? >> Correct. And this 390, this 300 will be the first really true city dollars towards the design. >> And where's that money coming from?
>> The water utility fund, >> pardon me, >> the the bonds that have been issued for the water for this project under the city's funds >> that's already been designated in those bonds. >> Yes.
Um Paul, just a point to um we do have other grants outside of that 600,000. I don't know what that's funding >> as far as as far as this design, the resolution that's on this evening, that 300,000 that's going to be city funds from city bonds
>> out of the B out of the water utility >> out of the water util out of water utility bond to fund that project. >> Thank you. I mean, it's certainly expected that we're going to have significant beneficial financial benefit beyond what we're talking about so far. >> Yes.
>> Uh what kind of consideration or agreements have been reached with the uh this the municipalities that are going to participate primarily Kate May Point, West Kate May, lower township and the and the Coast Guard. Do we have do do we have an
understanding that with all these particip the participants they are they on on board with this? I mean I've not heard any any discussion about that at all. >> I mean our current agreements with them all have a desalinization capital
recapture process. Um, but I anticipate as we move into next year, I'm going to be I've been working with um our CFO and and and Rob on modeling what the our current costs are and what the projected
costs for these these capital improvements and making a presentation on uh a potential proposed uh increase in both the city's um water rates to account for this capital project as well
as well as what costs these other our bulk users would be their share >> and uh the the current plan. Can you kind of describe Mr. Dri how
you're going to uh phase in the new one and phase out the old one or are we going to keep the old one in existence in the event that we need it two three four five years after the new plants online
>> obviously for this first phase the the existing RO plant will remain we'll bring the iron removal online so that that'll bring another source of water that We'll have um once we complete that second phase and
bring those new RO units on, part of the third phase would be decommissioning the old equipment and removing it. So, we won't keep it because it won't be connected at that point. >> So, there there won't be a way really to
take any benefit from the current plant uh down in the in the future. there is there would be no benefit in the future to maintain that plant. That's why we're building a new one. >> What will happen? The existing building is obviously historic. There is there
anything planned for that particular space or are we looking at that further down the road? >> We'll evaluate that as we move forward, but we don't have a current evaluation for it. >> Okay. Thank Thank you very much. And just to add to that, I know um Rob left,
but I know Paul and Rob had discussed there is some value to those filters that we we actually just purchased and will be installing soon. Um so some of the plant will be taken taken apart,
salvaged and and sold to different places. to your point of, you know, saving it. I'm not I'm I don't want to answer this more because I'm not the expert, but I one thing I do know is on once those filters aren't being used for some prolonged amount of time, it really
degrades. You might >> I mean, when they when they actually we've actually had the first set of filters installed, okay, and they're just finishing up seal doing the seals on those units. Um they come to us pre liqufied and injected. So yeah, they
can't be dried out. So they have to be maintained in a wet condition. So there is a aftermarket use for them. So most likely we'll try to find and resell them. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you.
Any other u questions on resolutions this evening? >> Seeing none, we'll close public comment on resolutions and uh go into our >> consent agenda. Council, is there anything you'd like to remove this evening?
>> Yes. Uh, resolution 330, if we could remove that. >> Sure. Sure. >> Anything else, council? >> Can we pull 323 as well? >> 323. >> Yes. >> Okay. Anyone Anything else, council? >> Okay. >> 3 31. I think there's a lot of great
stuff in here. 331, I think, should be mentioned separately. >> Sure. Sure. >> All right. Do I have a motion on the uh remaining consent agenda resolutions? >> I'll make that motion. Mayor, >> do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Roll call.
>> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade? >> Yes. Council member Bodner? >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin? >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik? >> Yes. >> All right. Back to 323-11-2025 because this was tabled. Um, it's a resolution establishing a 2026
commemorative beach tag for the city of Kate May. >> Do I have a motion? So moved. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions or comments, council? >> I I pulled this because I wanted to discuss with council as far as the cost for each tag. I don't know if this is
really going to be a money grab or not. I I just think that we it should be a little bit above what our current tags are. Um I think we go what are our current tags? the yearly tags or the seasonal >> 40 >> 35
>> 30 pre-sale 40 >> 40 uh 40 season >> I would just the reason part of the reason why for the the higher price point was we have several celebrations >> right >> that we're doing next year we have the 250th anniversary for the the nation the
150th for the city and the 50th for the national historic landmark um I'm anticipating a a budgetary aotment request to >> oh >> that of of a significant nature to help
fund those projects. I'm anticipating funding an additional Fourth of July celebration uh national night national night out to do additional things and we have several other planned events that we've had discussions with council um at
at different points during the year as well doing other commemorative uh things. So part of that was to yes help fund those commemorative um aspects. Uh I know there is the county is going to have some potential limited funding for
different towns to uh assist towns, but um the for the things that we're anticipating anticipating doing throughout next year um considering the the number of commemorative things that that we're you know it's just not the 250th anniversary, but we're doing a lot
of things geared around our especially the historic uh aspect and that celebration. um was looking for an additional true a funding source to help fund those commemorative activities. Um but it's it'll really be limited to you
know whatever council's has of >> how many do you anticipate selling >> or how many were you planning on ordering? I mean we have we have an an order already of for 500 um on order but as we would see demand you know we'll order more and um we can we can put a
cap on it you know and say hey we're going to you know have a limited series of X if you want to say,50 and say hey that's all that we're going to do and that's all we're going to raise and that's going to help fund the different celebration events. That's
>> so another way um maybe we want to consider do we want to do this as part of a pre-sale and give a pre-sale discount price and then raise it during the regular season you know to not maybe
100 but 75 so 50 in the pre-sale to engender interest as we do with the other tags. Um and then that gives us a good kind of running start on you know that source of revenue for planning purposes and then do 75 once the season
starts and differentiate it that way. Um and you know >> maybe limit during the pre-sale and say to make it you know more attractive >> maybe the first the first 500 we we put at one price point and then additional ones >> you know and then that way >> it's totally council's pleasure. I just
looking at >> 500 >> first 500 and then after that they will be raised to 75 and then that might you know get engender some >> I think that's good traction I do >> so can we make that revision sorry >> I think that's
>> are we going to limit the amount that we're going to >> 50 pre-sale 500 limit limit to 500 >> and then do do another 500 during the season if you want okay and that's it >> and yeah just make it that that way people if they have a really come actually if they sell out really good I
may come back out to you and >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Okay. Okay. Yeah. No, I'm >> soable to that. >> I have I have just another question since we're on funding this uh topic. >> Is there anything from the state I don't know which email I read it out of? I think it was like Heritage or Colonial
New Jersey or something like that. Is there some opportunities from the state that we're looking into at all? >> So, we've we've uh been the state has a large program that that they're putting on. So, we're going to be cross advertising our events with them and there are they have some
>> things that we've asked them to kind of participate in. They have some traveling exhibits and so we've asked and uh come in there. They've kind of blocked out a bunch of the dates already. So, we're not sure what we can already get, but we've reached out to them to see if we can get some of their traveling exhibits also. >> Cool. Thank you.
>> Yep. And then council, could we just clarify exactly because we're going to have to amend this resolution um the way it's worded. Could you just repeat exactly what >> I think the amendment was a pre-sale of 500 uh commemorative tags at $50 a piece
>> and thereafter 500 tags at $75 a piece. Um and the pre-sale would end obviously would be run concurrent with our pre-sale of um our traditional tags. So, ending April 30th. >> Yes. >> That's great. >> Okay. So, however long it takes to get
through the first 500, then that'll go up to 75. And regardless of if we get through that 500, the pre-sale ends on April 30th, unless you come back and say, "We need more." >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So, can someone uh do I could someone make that in the form of a [laughter]
motion? >> I'll make the motion. to amend the resolution >> to amend the resolution that we will offer a pre-sale a pre-seasoned sale at $50, limit it to 500 tags and then up until April 30th and then the cost would
go to $75 >> for the next 500. >> For the next 500 >> and I will say that those tags will be available tomorrow also. >> Okay. Excellent. >> Perfect. Do we have a second >> to amend?
>> I'll second to amend. >> Roll call, please. >> All right. Council member Meyer, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade, >> yes. Council member Bodner, >> yes. >> Council member Baldwin, >> yes. >> Mayor Mullik, >> yes. Do I need a motion on the amended? >> Adopt as amended, please. >> I'll make that motion. Do I have a second?
>> I'll second. >> Roll call. >> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade? >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner? >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin? >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik? >> Yes. All right. >> Is there a way for people to see what they look like?
>> I will >> post it on the website. >> We will post them on >> I don't have it. >> I can post a picture on the website. >> Yeah, >> I'll get a picture posted up on the website. >> Yeah, >> I'm sure we'll be uh hitting this hard on social media. >> Michelle, did you get all that?
[laughter] >> Thank you. >> I think it's a great opportunity if it gets into the paper. It' be nice to have a photo to go with it. Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> All right. Moving on to 330-125, a resolution reappointing Deborah A. Lenholm as the city tax collector.
>> Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Uh I just wanted to say to thank you to Debbie and Rusty and the whole family. uh you've done such a wonderful job in
the in the tax office and and a job that maybe not everybody wants to have, but you do a great job doing it and uh I think we're always 99 percentile in our taxation collection. >> Yes. I mean, Deb is really one of
probably one of the top tax collectors in especially in our county as far as a tax collection rate. there's not many tax collectors that can go the number of years that we've gone and having such a a high rate of collection which which obviously helps keep a stable budget and
not having to >> chase after those. >> So to thank you very much Deb and and Rusty for all your hard work for the town. We appreciate it. And and I I guess I would be remiss in saying she does have a you know she leads a good staff of people that really work
together and um you know not only you know for taxes, water and sewer, but she they do a great job in doing all the pre-sale uh for beach tech. So it's a lot of lot of work that goes through that office. >> Thank you. With that uh any other
questions or comments? Roll call. >> Council member Meyer. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade. Yes. Council member Bodner. >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik. >> Yes. >> All right. And 331-12 2025 resolution authorizing the installation of the
Black Heritage Trail marker at the AM Church. >> Do I have a motion? >> Make a motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions or comments? >> I just want to make the comment with all the, you know, the anniversaries that we haven't gone on this year. I think it's important to mention, you know, with all
our history, black history is definitely a part of Kate May's history. >> Yeah. Very cool. Yeah. >> Any anything else, council? >> Roll call. >> I would, if I could just also note, so this will be the second location that is designated on the black
>> trail. True. >> Yeah. We had we designated, as you recall earlier this year, uh, at the Franklin Street School, and so across the street is the AM church. So, you know, Franklin Street is really going to be the hub of activity for this kind of
activity. So, thank you. >> And and I'll just add to to thank our assemblymen uh Mlen and Simonson who sponsored this legislation through the state. So, uh really and obviously this is we're talking Kate May, but this the trail goes throughout the whole state
and really wonderful history. So, thank you. Uh with that, any other questions or comments? Roll call. >> Council member Meyer. >> Yes. Deputy Mayor McDade, >> yes. >> Council member Bodner, >> yes. >> Council member Baldwin, >> yes. >> Mayor Malik, >> yes.
>> That I guess moving on to new business council. >> Do do we have 333? >> Was that was that pulled or not? I'm sorry. >> No, I don't think so. >> I think it was just the first three. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> On to new business. City solicitor.
>> Nothing tonight. City manager. Um, I would just uh would like to comment. Oh, the chief isn't here. Um, you can see on the stage behind you all the toys that are back there. So, this begins the season where um our police department
does an awesome job of, you know, collecting toys uh for the families throughout Cape Island and and Cape May County. And um there is a display out in the hallway that if you're looking to help, bless you. um sponsor a child. You
know, we've got different uh age and and kind of, you know, to kind of shop for a child specifically and drop it back off here to city hall. And uh you know, when they do the wrapping day, it is a truly amazing site to see this entire room
here filled with bags and and wrapping and toys. So, it it is truly um the Kney City Department comes almost a mini Santa workshop here in Kate May Island. So, um, please, if you have an opportunity, please reach out to, uh,
Duran Hemingway at the police department and and see how you want to get involved or stop here and grab a tag and just drop a toy off. Um, it'd be greatly appreciated. >> Thank you. Uh, city clerk.
>> Yes. All fun things this evening. Um, tis the season. We've got the Angelus Community Singers uh free concert at a convention hall on December 3rd at 7 p.m. We've got the city treelighting ceremony at Rotary Park this coming
Friday, December 5th at 700 p.m. Of course, the Westgate May Christmas parade is December 6th starting at 5:00 p.m. The Captain Nick Federoff Community Christmas Celebration is Sunday, December 14th from 12 to 3 at Convention Hall. And of course, as everyone said,
pre-sale beach tags are available for purchase in the city tax collector's office now through April 30th. So come stock your stuffing. Stuff your stockings. [laughter] It's been a long day. Come get your beach tags. >> Okay. All right. Uh, council members,
council member Baldwin, >> just I I really have to comment how wonderful the city looks with all of the lights um between the mall, houses, business district, commercial, you know, residential district. Um, it really shows the spirit. We have a Rockwellish
town. Um, and I did see the city of Kate May on a Hallmark movie. >> I saw you. [laughter] >> Had to rewind it and take a picture of it. It was Rotary Park. So cool. >> Um, so I I it's just a magical town. So
I thank everybody out there who has done a beautiful job decorating. >> That's great. Thank you, Councilman Bodner. >> Well, kind of carrying through with that that theme about Kate May. Um Kate May has recently been reertified um for the mayor's monarch pledge. Um for those
that aren't aware, it's a program um by the National Wildlife Federation. KMA has taken a pledge and uh is to be committed to restore and maintain habitats for monarch butterflies. And it's more than just taking a pledge. Um
you need to take action to be certified and reertified such as creating monarch monarch gardens and monarch friendly uh planting monarch friendly plants which has taken place throughout the community. Also creating a community-driven education and
conservation strategy. um and promoting those practices and also to continue um an invasive species removal program to support the reestablishment of natural habitat for pollinators and monarch butterflies. And Kate May has done that. Um it's one of
the ways that that has been promoted. Um, and I want to recognize the the environmental commission for their support and advocacy of this endeavor, but also other organizations both [clears throat] just in Kate May and around Kate May, you know, our our
garden club, um, our the Kate May science center, the nature center, and a community at large that promotes this and embraces um the monarchs as being part of part of Cape May. Um, and I also want to acknowledge and recognize Dave Sheoffller, uh, the director of
recreation, who shephered the reertification program to make sure that we documented all the steps that needed to be done for Kate May to be be reertified. So again, I just think it's another great thing, you know, for Kate
May. Um, and uh, just well, it's just just a great thing. >> Very cool. Just want to mention I saw something on uh Anderson Cooper covered the program and part of his Yeah. 60 minutes the end of the show. So yeah >> and highlighted um Mr. Gar uh Garland
Mark Garland who does it uh out of Kate May Point Science Center. Yeah. >> Um it was a national recognition which was wonderful. >> Very cool. Uh >> Deputy Mayor. >> Uh nothing this evening mayor. >> Councilman Meyer. uh with all the
milestones that we have going on. One was brought to my attention. It was 10 years ago that a young Aaron Burke started working here and uh she started the uh construction office and uh everybody in city council and this building [clears throat] saw her
potential and she you know shot right through the top. So I just want to congratulate you. >> Sweet. Thank you guys. >> Congrat me for the foreseeable. So [laughter] >> great job Aaron. Congratulations. >> Thank you. appreciate it. >> Yeah. >> Um I'll just add again thanks really to
our Department of Public Works and getting uh the town looking so magical. Um when you see everybody doing that hard work to make it look so magical, maybe it's a little less magical, but uh you know riding as as was said riding
around town with my kids and they just really get so excited for the holidays and and as was mentioned the homeowners that do such a great job. I mean, it's so it's very cool. I'm um getting there out of my own house. It's starting to starting to look nice. It's a long
process, but anyway, with that, we'll open it up for public comment. Anyone wishing to uh speak this evening, please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. >> Stacy Shan, 928 Columbia Avenue. Um, my first question has to do with the new delies plant. Is the HBC going to have
some approval and input on the new building? >> Uh, HBC's already approved it. >> Yeah, they have. >> Well, I don't know. He was changing it around here. That's why I didn't know what he was. >> He said he was >> actually the HBC they've given a favorable recommendation. I mean, we'll probably go back to them and let them
know, but they've already given their favorable recommendation on it. >> Okay. Because I don't know how much changes he's going to make. You know what he's talking about tonight. Uh my next question is >> let me just to answer that though I I do we will make sure that any of those changes are reviewed by HPC for their
final approval for sure and frankly ask for their input. >> Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. My next question or comment has to do with the safety issue that there is on Franklin Street. They put those new trees in, but the new trees are in the middle of the sidewalk causing people to
fall by their, you know, bikes or walking. Is there any way we can curve the sidewalk, move it in a little bit or or move the trees closer to the road because they literally are in the middle of the sidewalk? Says my comment there. >> Um
>> I brought that up. >> Yeah. >> To management. I I think I don't know if there's any way we can do it, but I think we as a city uh should, you know, since most of the town has the cutouts along the one side of the the uh sidewalk, which is closest to the street, we should maintain that style
throughout the town. I just would feel bad if some woman was wearing high heels walking over those grates that she'd get stuck in that uh area. I just I think moving forward we should get away from having those grates because I totally agree with >> but but they're really
>> right in the middle >> Yeah, that's all I can say. They're in the middle of the sidewalk. >> You know what? I'll bring it up to Shade Tree and have them discuss it. >> I think they just they look Yeah, they located the trees in the wrong spot. Like they should have moved them closer to the road >> when they planted them. >> Get one of our experts to see if that's
even uh doable. >> Okay, thank you. >> I'll talk to the city manager what he thinks, too. And um my other question has to do with they you tabled the uh ordinance last week or last meeting about the
apartments above the mall that you were going to put the apartments and ball and and you tabled it to the other district right which is the still the C1 but not on the mall. Is the My question has to do with um
is the city planning on subsidizing with taxpayer money these apartments if they are approved? >> There's no plan for that. >> Okay. Just asking because I was wondering where you were headed with that. And my next comment has to do with
I understand that the city won um the lawsuit with the Cove. What is that? The motel down there at the Cove that they won. The Jetty Motel is what I had heard. So
>> yeah, the city was that was a prerogative action. So the the city was successful in that and the uh you know that kind of leaves the applicant in having to make a new application I suppose. >> Okay. I just was saying thank you and
that was great. >> Thank you Jules. Um my understanding is that the planning board has has uh cancelled their meeting for this month. So they won't be
discussing the workforce housing. Uh I'd like to being passed out. I don't I don't like reading statements but in in this case I'd like to get my final statement in for the for this year about the workforce housing long-term housing. The
number one issue in Cape May is parking. An issue we all would like to improve upon, not exacerbate. Our zoning code was crafted crafted years ago after months and months and many meetings, providing a unified
document to serve this best interest of the the entire community. One major component is the requirement that every use has a defined parking requirement as a method to guarantee parking is provided. Ordinance 584 removes the
parking requirement in C1 zoning district and is established as a prerequisite and a prime basis for every applicant throughout the city that if they can't make meet the parking standards to seek a variance for
parking. In 2007, the Washington Street Mall was rejuvenated and the infrastructure and utilities were upgraded to serve those current commercial businesses. As city council confirmed, the proposed workforce housing, long-term housing
development in the C1 district have utilities and services available and adequate. Has research provided the following details. The number of employees needed needing workforce housing. current
one-year uh rental rates, the number of second and third floor areas available for apartments, the number of owners of the vacant space willing to invest and improve the available space. What are the current occupancy and uses on the third and
fourth floors in the C1 district? Do the current employers pay employees a living wage to afford C1 rentals? How many current employees are valued to justify employers assisting financially
and/or providing housing for their employees? Ordinance 584 2025, if adopted, is a precursor to the apartments becoming condominiums. I point this out as a significant change that might occur if you approve that
ordinance. In my judgment, there are basic questions. Has the city council explor explored and discussed all the essential factors in making a drastic zoning change? Is it fair and equal to all concerned taxpayers, citizens, residents,
employees, and visitors? A decision to change zoning without a complete understanding of the current status, facts and conditions and the causes effect and effects of this change is arbitrary and capriccious.
And secondly, there are ethical and legal questions on voting and ordinance 584-2025 that grants extraordinary financial opportunities and benefits to limited specific owners, investors. that is not
available to others. I do not believe that this this zoning change is warranted and I would like it to to fail. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Jules. Anyone else this evening? Seeing none, we can close public
comment. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you everyone. and have a wonderful evening.