All right, good afternoon everybody. We are having a regular meeting of the city council of the city of Kate May. Today is Tuesday, July 7th, 2026. The time is now 5 p.m. 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 everybody.
>> Under the open public meetings law, notice that 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 Kate May city website and Kate May 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 McDeade >> here. >> Council member Meyer is absent. Mayor
Mullik >> here. >> City solictor Gillan Schwarz >> here. >> City Manager Dietrich >> here. >> Deputy Manager Riggs >> here. >> Deputy Clerk Turner >> here. >> Any additions or deletions tonight? Council, >> anything council? >> No. >> Okay.
>> Updates in old business. Okay, city manager, any updates or old business? >> Thank you. I have a few things. We had a busy weekend uh this past weekend with the holiday weekend and finishing up June. So, I just wanted to kind of give some updates
on the water usage size. Uh we hit some new records. Um uh on uh the fourth and the fifth, we exceeded 2.9 million gallons of water flow. uh that was more than 200,000 gallons more than the
previous record that was set back in 2024. So uh the water system was definitely tax over the the holiday. I think it's attributed to obviously the fourth was on the Saturday. It was hot all the week leading up to it. The the 250th
anniversary celebration. So there just was a lot of people in town using a lot of water. Um, we did have to, you know, we were out starting some a little more enforcement to kind of, you know, maybe cut down on some regulations. We did reach out to some of our, uh, restaurant partners to to ask them, hey, to only
serve water upon request just to kind of conserve as much water as we could over that uh, heavy holiday weekend. Um, from a beach tag revenues perspective, um, the weekend was kind of flat. Uh and also uh you know as far as revenue
numbers go and when you look at the um the June summary report uh from beach tags for year to date we're you know we're probably within two or$3,000 from last year. So as far as beach hag uh numbers we're about on par from from
last year. Parking um for the weekend itself we were up about 4% in parking. Uh though when you look at our June monthly totals, you can see uh that even though that the uh you know I'll say parking transactions are up about two
and a you know 2.8 just under 3% our revenue is up quite a bit up over 16%. So um you know they're I think they're same number of transaction just slightly increase but they're staying longer
while they're here. Um, so that's kind of a a brief update. I don't think we had any major issues. Unfortunately, we did have to cancel the parade because of heat and everything, but I think the fireworks went off with a a very good presentation and I think they uh, you know, the the additional funding that we
received from the county to help pay for a bigger event. I think everybody enjoyed the the better, bigger um, fireworks event. And that's all I had. Uh and just a comment on one of the resolutions uh regarding the um personnel policy that is just really
being updated. Uh normally our GIF updates are like every two years. They had they had something that they needed to do some tweaking on it. So that's that's really the personnel policy update was for um uh required GIF updates for that. And with that, I don't
have anything else further. >> That's great. Um, I know I speak for all of council and and thanking um you Paul and and Justin and all of the city staff over this last weekend. It's obviously taxing to have as many people in in town
as we did. And um the um I I want to say a special thank you to the fire police volunteers who helped uh during the um during the fireworks, the um of course police and fire who worked a lot and the lifeguards who were working uh overtime.
Um you know it it it obviously the department of public works, the water department who were working overtime. Uh so thank you to all of uh the staff and and but especially our police and firefighters and EMTs who are really
working hard over this weekend. Um it's uh it is a tribute because I don't know if people saw but it unfortunately I think 25 people in New Jersey died over this weekend of heat exhaustion. So clearly it was the right call on the parade at 1 pm unfortunately on the
hottest day of the year. So to uh deputy chief e um you know I I joked that I I I would have I wanted the pray to go forward you know but when you find yourself in the same position as the
mayor from Jaws arguing with uh your chief of police and things like that you're probably in the wrong pro wrong spot. So, thank you for everyone um correcting me and but in and truly making the right decision, keeping everyone safe, and then having probably
one of the best fireworks displays I've ever seen in Cape May, which was great. And by the way, uh, watching the weather with Deputy Chief EC was on the phone with one of the >> So, so part of that is, you know, we've taken on for as part of the OEM team.
Uh, we've partnered with Joe Marti, the meteorologist, to give us some more hyperspecific. You you might have saw the the post that we had where he gave a Kate May specific uh forecast. Um he's also brings to us he uh uh he's working
with another one of his partners to um bring enhanced lightning detection. So uh that can detect lightning up to within a mile. So we're we're getting more accurate uh detection with that. So, yeah, we were on the phone with him all day trying to pinpoint when to shoot
those fireworks off and and make it the most accurate so that we were able to to kick it off and and uh not have to cancel that part of >> and and also thank you to Cape Resorts and and Curtis Bashaw for helping sponsor and uh keeping the speech brief
enough that we could launch off the fireworks so that that all everybody worked together >> doing that. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> So, everybody worked together and that worked out great. So, thank you everybody. Um, city solicitor, any updates or old business? >> Nothing tonight. Thank you. >> City council, any updates or old business?
>> Just one thing, mayor. Um, ju this is actually to Paul. Um, on the topic of of water, when uh are we looking at the water tower to start? >> So, that won't start until after until the fall. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. We're not going to interrupt any of our normal
summertime operation. Okay. with that we couldn't we couldn't survive if we took that water tower out of commission. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. So that that'll start I think it's scheduled like >> I see things in the bills and I just like I'm like wait a minute we starting this. >> Yeah. I think he's tentative for like
September 13th I think is their tentative start date for the tower. >> Thank you. I have something. Um if if I could want to address that the um the ebike um legal requirements have now gone into
effect. Uh they went to effect on June 26th and on the city website we've all presented in a very comprehensive manner. This being the that legislation that was passed that addressed uh registration, license and insurance. And
I think it's uh being presented. It's available for folks to look at. It's right on the homepage for um for the city. Um additionally, it's also linked through the bike and pedestrian uh uh
page, the committee page as well. Um, and there's two additional links there as well for people who are digging deeper and want additional information beyond the that basic comprehensive information with links to uh the motor vehicle commission on the e ebike manual
as well as further information from uh from the division of motor vehicles or the motor vehicle commission. um also mentioned that the city w is able to procure a grant um regarding proactive enforcement for pedestrian and bike
safety and the um my understanding is there through this grant the city will be able to um and will have some patrol details that will be specifically focused on bike and pedestrian safety. Um, I know that the chief is focused on
this matter. It's all about safety and the enforcement in in great respect is a lot is is really educating folks. Um, going hand inand with this grant. There's educational materials that has been been provided for the city to uh to
give out to folks as well. So, appreciate the fact that, you know, the police department is taking this issue so seriously. I know it's been um Paul, you've heard it a lot from uh the bike and pedestrian committee. Um, and I appreciate all the work that they have done by keeping this as a as an issue.
Um, the city picking up on it, the police department picking up on that and acquiring this gate, this grant from from the state and, uh, chief, I want to give a shout out to Detective Sergeant Shistak. I know she headed up, uh, acquiring that grant. So, um, nice job
by all and it's looking looking forward to this taking place over the course of the summer. The only thing I would supplement is, you know, for for our visitors that are coming in from out of state, the licensing and registration and insurance requirements are only for New Jersey residents. That there is not
a reciprocal issue at this point in time. So, if you're a Pennsylvania resident visiting here for the weekend, we ask that you follow the rules of road, be safe out there, and do that. You're not going to be subject to, you know, licensing insurance and all that
kind of stuff. And you know, that's all part of, you know, what the police will do as part of that education process. And I I think it's great that the state is providing some funding to help get out there and get the word out regarding the whole program.
>> Great. Um, >> just very briefly, two things. One, um, pleased to say that the last of the materials that were in the AM church were delivered to the Whitesboro historic preservation project today. So, we have been able to disperse with close
to 95%. We have the altar still alter rail still there and one other minor piece. So, um very much appreciate public works uh getting those up to the various locations. And the second thing is Mr. Orlando is here from um you know
Orlando engineering and I just want to add um the Harborview park ribbon cutting was on Thursday. Just thanking you and again Nicole for the wonderful work that you did on that project. very much appreciate it. And for anyone in the public listening who hasn't had a
chance to get out there, please do. It is a beautiful park. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh great. Yeah. Um thank you everybody who everybody supported that project and that just came out so nice, Vince. So, that was that was a wonderful
event. And uh so now you now you've uh got to live up to your your uh what you did at Harborview Park. And >> this one's a little bit easier. Yeah. >> So yeah, if you if you would V, take it away, Vince. >> Not as uh much creativity as Harborview.
And and I can't go out saying that. >> Vince, can you bring that a little closer, please? Thank you. Deputy Mayor, um your insight on on the park and your working with us and your ideas really has much to do with our design. It it
was a team effort. Um and I'm proud to say that that park is one of our best accomplishments. So, thank you for allowing us to do that. Um, so we're on phase three of uh Lafayette
and things got changed up, you know, when I came on board. Uh, I guess it's four years now, isn't it? It was a quick six months, but four years ago, um, we start looking at the park and we went in a different
direction. Um, and obviously phase four, which was the trails, became phase one. and the trail project which had a lot of D hurdles was successful. I I think that you know I still get accolades on on
that trail. I think it's sustainable. It it really blends well into the city and it becomes a great part of the city's uh recreational fabric. Um we followed up with uh phase two which was the dog
park, the gazeos, the outfield area, just the play area and the botchi courts as and the city picked up that tab. We're now into phase three, which if you recall, the county helped us with phase
one, which was the trails. Phase two was the city. Now phase three will be the active portion of the recreation and the parking um which our hope is that the the county open space will allow us to
use our phase 2 contribution so that this entire phase will the county will pick up as part of their 50/50 share because they changed the way they do business. Um and and phase three is is is pretty simplistic. It's the active
recreation portion of this which entails tennis, basketball, and pickle ball. Uh this is an old version. We had spoke a little bit about moving the pickle ball back to the basketball and flipping those one way or the other so that the pickle ball was a little bit away from
the residential component across the street. Um this portion would include 40 parking spaces paved. Um and and the reason for that is we're limited to 49 spaces not having to go to the D.
Um and once the police station is completed and not part of this, we will then be able to go to the D because the percent lock coverage is not part of recreational complexes
but part of public service buildings. So the reason those two are tied in because they're adjacent. So this is a way to proceed with phase three at this point. Once that done, we can then go back to the D, get the rest of the parking
approved, and uh that'll be complete. Um yeah, it's you know, I think the idea would be to have a active recreation component. We're looking at um an entry into the park
with uh there was a fountain there and I don't think this is really a fountain type facility. I think that entry would be more of a planet garden kind of an entryway with a nice sign. Um uh there will be restrooms. There will be a a
gazebo, a hard structure gazebo uh as part of the complex. Um the idea is to light the entire facility so that you know you'll be able to have
uh evening hours if you want. Um we're doing something in Ocean City which I kind of like. Um, we're putting the lights on timers so that if you're if you come and you want to play basketball, you put the
timer on for 30 minutes and after 30 minutes it goes off. So, it doesn't stay on. The lights would go off immediately at >> 10:30, 11:00, whatever you deem necessary. But in that off season, you don't want to be having the lights on entirely.
>> So, that's something maybe we want to think about. uh you know having those kind of timed issues >> and they're started by the participant. >> They're started by the participant. >> That's cool. I like that. >> So there's there is still ambient light there so that once it wouldn't go black.
>> Mhm. >> We would still have enough light for people to leave the surface or leave the facility, but the the the high intensity lights would be um removed. And I like that idea for a number of reasons. A,
we're creating a dark sky. be we're saving electricity, >> right? >> And you know, in the winter months, I hate to see us keeping the lights on from 6:00 from dusk to 10:00 at night if nobody's using them, >> right? >> So, I think I would probably try to
incorporate that. So, you know, >> but Vince, the lighting would um be turned off completely and not be able to be accessed based on the criteria that the city >> whatever the city decides 10 or 11:00. So, >> okay, >> you couldn't even manually put the
lights on after that time. Um, and there would be signage of course associated with that. So the idea was, you know, once we presented the conceptual plan to council, we would do a cost estimate, we would make a an application to the open
space um committee. And I think after Thursday, I think they're pretty excited to have another project in in Kate May because I the the hardest thing that I hear from the open space committee is that the towns are not spending the
money quick enough. And >> we're ready. >> Yeah. and and and I don't know why, but um the projects that we've done, we've acted on quickly. We spent the money. We've completed the projects, and I know that the the county is pretty excited
about what they're seeing here. So, I think this is an active recreation facility, um which is the last component of Lafayette, I think, will work well. Vince, I think what I'm excited about is, you know, even having the police
station nearby. I think back to the times when we had the police athletic leagues. We had um, you know, summer wreck leagues, some of our basketball, and and I I played in some of them, and and that was always a lot of fun, and it was great way to bring the community
together, bring our police department together with our kids. Um um so my I guess my only comment is uh a request to really do something
I mean like you did frankly at at um at Harborview Park where we did something a little special with the pavilion. The tr the fact is this portion of the of the park is mostly hardcore, you know. So I
just think our opportunity to do something special in this design is those buildings to do a little extra >> and we can. So the the nice thing is that when we did phase one >> right >> under this we try to incorporate the um
placemaking right >> elements that the county was kind of on board >> right >> and we did that so we utilize their >> um >> their elements >> right >> uh fast forward three years later they're no longer tied to those elements
as you can see in Harborview Park because they allowed us to do the gazebo that we did right >> so we do have kind of uh an open book on how we want to do the bathroom, restroom, and pavilions. >> I will say, I mean, the the benches and the trash receptacles and all those things really turned out. So, I thought
they looked great, honestly. >> Well, they were very open to that. They were in the midst of reviewing their designs at the time. And they were very flexible when Nicole started showing them different materials that they had never really used before. So, it it was nice that we had that opportunity, [clears throat]
>> right? And we had that in phase one. So, we did use the placemaking and the placemaking benches aren't bad. I mean, we have them on the pavilion. We have them here. >> We have them on the >> They're sustainable. They're >> They're there on the uh path right next to you, the walkway. Look, it looks great. >> Yeah. And so, you can see that that path
is already in place, >> right? >> And we'll we'll coordinate that off. And, you know, that that green space in front, you know, how we want to handle it. I think that is probably the only thing that we want to really make special, you know, where we do some
uplighting, we do some small trees, uh maybe we do um some type of sculpture or some type of monument, you know, for the facility, you know, there's an opportunity there. >> Memorial garden is very >> memorial garden would be perfect.
>> I I have some comments and questions if I may. Um I'll start with a comment. You see tours are right by the botch ball court. You got the flag and the memorial. >> Mhm. >> I think the flag ever since we started this park was or started replanting this park, the flag was just I think somewhat
haphazardly just put there. >> I think >> that wasn't part of this. I don't we didn't No, I understand there years ago. Yeah. >> So, I think it' be important to have a central location for that flag such as near that memorial garden. >> I love that idea. >> And then the memorial that you see next to where the current flag is. I think I
remember when I was a uh CB elementary school, I did an article in the school newspaper that was dedicated to a person. I went to Mar Marjorie Dallas to find out who this person was who actually lost her life, I think fixing something in the old convention hall. But, you know, I don't see any reason to
move the memorial, but I like the flag being put in a central location. And it's very, you know, the people that are associated with this park and have done so much for the youth over the past, you know, 50 years in this park, maybe more, that, you know, it's very patriotic and I think it they it goes together, you
know, it culminates. Uh, and the only question I have right now is, and by the way, the shade tree commission would be very happy to get involved with some recommendations for trees for that front area. Uh but when it comes to entrances to these uh facilities, the pickle ball, uh tennis and basketball, is there only
one entrance and exit to each of these facilities? That was the idea at this point, you know, coming in probably maybe elongating that sidewalk against the pavilion. Um I don't think we have we really haven't detailed that out yet.
>> Okay. >> Um >> I mean it might be good for flow. I'm just thinking I don't know >> how. Yeah, because would it be interruptive to people who were in one area having you know >> um people moving through? I can't conceptualize that right now. >> I think you're going to you would have
each each of those three court areas would have its own distinct ent people walk through the tennis people and go to basketball. There'll be I'll say three correct Vince three distinct entrances into each of those court areas. but coming along this pathway. I'm sorry.
>> And there's also an opportunity to the back there, the basketball court so close to the sidewalk. I just think there's opportunity, >> right, >> or gate >> and who knows, an extra large gate for for uh public works to get in there to do whatever they need. >> Yeah. >> So, the discussion was to switch
>> put the pickle ball to the rear. >> Yeah. >> And either the tennis or the basketball to the front. >> I'd put tennis to the front, then basketball, and then pickle ball. I mean the pickle ball we you know that you can just look other communities have struggled with that just because of the
particular noise that that [clears throat] makes when people are playing >> and there's also a noise of basketball when it comes to a dog park >> right so you know um having those towards the back of it >> probably tennis is the quietest of the three >> um also
uh we do a lot of work in Ocean City Ocean City is like the mega of pickle ball I think they've got over 30 courts. One of the things that we're incorporating now is um kind of a netting or um some barriers
between the courts so that balls can't go from one court to the other. Our first one we didn't do that and the pickle ball association came back and said, you know, you're killing us. of the So, we'll incorporate that into that and and we have some we have plenty of
room to make sure that they the pickle ball meets the pickle ball standards because that's always an issue with the pickle ball people. Do we do does Kate May have any pickle ball courts yet? >> None. >> Well, inside >> inside convention hall in the winter.
>> Yeah, these I'm sure these are going to be heavily used. >> And that's that leads me to my question. Um, is there anything in the agreement when we actually um demolish this park for the tennis court to remain? There's nothing in there.
>> I'm I'm wondering, do we take that tennis court and possibly make it an additional four pickle ball courts since we have the tennis um >> tennis club? >> Um, we have a city court at the tennis club >> associated with the Wise Anderson Park
that was there before. Mr. Wise taught tennis and the Andersons are associated with basketball and that's the real reason I I was hoping more of like a u a hybrid court if we could do >> where we could do pickle ball. >> Can you do that with four? >> Neither of them like it but >> in a tennis court.
>> You can. >> Well, [snorts] yeah. >> It's it's very difficult because the striping is all different and it is a lot. >> That's what I'm saying. Neither of them like the hybrid. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. So, >> and the nets are never the same and the stansions and
>> I just see so many courts that are like, you know, one off, two off, like and we have such an organized tennis club. Um, they go unused and I hate to see something like this being unused, especially when I know there are a lot of people that go up to, you know,
whether it's Rio Grand um and play pickle ball. >> So, I just a thought Yeah, I appreciate it. Okay, [snorts] any other comments or questions?
>> So, our game plan would be if if council desires to pass a resolution, we'll move ahead with getting the application to the open space committee. >> Yeah. >> Getting on their agenda. Um I did talk to Quinn when he was out there. He's the
new director, I guess, and told him that we were coming in. And he goes, "Just tell me and I'll get you on an agenda." So, I'd like to get this maybe in August so that we could get funding and >> hopefully I could see this being out to
bid maybe by the end of the year >> uh and maybe start construction in early spring, >> which which that would put us in good timing with the completing most of the work at the police station building, then phasing off, not needing as much
space, allowing us to start this work, and then, you know, I don't know if we'll be able to open it right after police, but you know, depending on how much they get done, it it might be be fairly close after the police station building to get this done.
>> Vince, question about the county just for councils. They're discussing what's going to go on here. Do you anticipate that the county is going to have any comments or preferences on what goes in here? No, >> I don't think so. I think the county is more looking to promote their open space
numbers. They want they want to they got a lot of money. They want the funding to get out to the communities. And like I said, I think I think Kate May is one of their favorite kids. So >> because of the things are getting done, >> I think they're going to want to say, "Hey, if you're proposing these three
hard courts, they're not going to want you to change that to uh an artificial turf field or a playground type." You know, it's it's those major components are there is probably what they don't want to That's the reason I asked because if we're going to go seek funding, might want to
flush out our preferences before we submit. >> If we change if we flip-flop it from tennis to pickle ball or vice versa, that's not going to be an issue. >> But another surface would would >> I think if you wanted to take off one of those hard courts and put in
a playground with swing sets and those kinds of things, yes, I think that would that would change it. But I think just changing between, hey, if we end up putting in three basketball courts, I don't think that the county is going to care about that cuz they're going to look at they're going to look at they have three hard courts.
>> If you came to tennis courts just because of the Anderson Wise connection, um, we've done a number of grass courts up in Ocean City. I don't think the tennis club has any grass courts. >> Is that art artificial? >> Artificial grass,
>> right? Um they the high school loves it. The people love playing on it. It may just to kind of deviate from the tennis club. And if and if you are kind of tied into
a tennis court because of the legacy, >> maybe a grass court just to separate wouldn't be a bad idea. >> That's interesting. I like that idea. It takes a little bit of maintenance because you do got to resand them.
>> Um, but for us older people, it is a little bit slower pace because the ball doesn't skip as hard. It doesn't bounce up. >> Clay, >> two um concrete. Yeah, >> asphalt courts.
>> It's hard quartz, but >> it's not clay. >> Yeah, they're asphalt. They're asphalt courts. >> Asphalt. >> And these this would be an asphalt surface. >> I have a I have a lighting question. Uh before when we had these tennis courts, basketball courts here, what 15, 20
years ago? I can't remember at this point. Um we [clears throat] had those really large lights, you know, that they're really high shooting down. I I imagine that's part of the plan for these lights, but are we going to have some electric lantern lights kind of like we
have on our streetscapes and throughout the park? Okay. Cuz that's >> Yeah. So, we'll, you know, we'll we'll do some type of low-level lighting for the walkways, >> similar to Harbor, >> secondary lighting for the the courts themselves because if we do go with a a
timer and the timers go off, you do want some ambient lights to be able to remove yourself from the court and and to get off safely for pedestrian. >> Are you referring to maybe lantern lights along a pathway or something? No, I'm talking like, you know, street lights like we have the gas lanterns in
town, but electric same style. You know, I think this I think that what we have in uh Kuanas Park looks really great at the the different groups of lighting. And I just think it look great here except for you're going to have to have that extra lighting for the basketball. >> You know, we when we did Kuanas Park,
you know, one of the criticisms that that I did hear that the lights were just a little bit too bright, >> right? Um, and we went to a different fixture at Harborview if you noticed, >> which had a a cap, which a down light. And you know, we did have a lot of
residential input there. And one of the gentlemen that was kind of very vocal, did come up to us and compliment us on, you know, the park being good. He said, "I got to tell you about the lighting." He says, "The lighting is perfect." He says, "It's well lit." >> Yeah.
>> But it's not offensive. So maybe that's a fixture that we kind of look at. Take a take a look at the the park. It the Harborview park. It really does look nice. >> I haven't been there at night yet. >> It looks beautiful. It really does. The down light, it's just it's the right co temp, you know, temperature. It's very
nice. >> But to continue with the lighting, uh what are the hours for the dog park? >> I mean, is it going to close the same time as park? >> Yeah, dust the dawn. >> So, they don't have any artificial lighting over there. >> There's no lighting at the park. Dog park.
>> That was my question. Anyone [snorts] else? >> Vince, thank you very much. We really appreciate it and uh looking forward to another great project. >> Thank you. Thank you. Look forward I'm going to leave the color rendering so we can put it upstairs
and uh I don't say too often, but thank you for being let me be part of the team. I really enjoyed it. >> Thank you, Vince. >> Enjoy working here and uh >> it's always an adventure. >> Yeah. >> All right. Thank you, Vince.
>> With that, and by the way, obviously, anyone who wants to come take a look at this uh uh you know, design here, site plan. Please come take a look >> and I'll make sure it's added to the city's website. >> Thank you. Okay, with that we will move on to ordinances for second reading and
consideration for adoption. >> We have 605-2026 ordinance amending chapter 7 of the Kate May city code regarding metered parking and incorporating private parking lot use agreements with a public comment tonight. Mayor, >> is anyone here wishing to speak on
ordinance 605? >> Seeing none, we'll 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 Meyer. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDeade. >> Yes. Council member Bodner.
>> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik. >> Yes. >> And just for the record, uh, Council Member uh, Meyer arrived at 3:09 p.m. Welcome. >> Yes. I was at the mercy of uh, Kate May's finest restaurant. [laughter] >> No worries. >> Their business is doing good. >> That's good.
>> Good. >> Uh, moving on to public portion on resolutions only. Mayor, >> is anyone here wishing to speak on resolutions this evening or this afternoon rather? >> I'm looking at you, Jules. There's >> Come on, Joel. [laughter]
>> Okay. >> All right. >> Yeah. >> He's present, but he will not speak. >> We'll close public comment on resolutions. >> All right. So, is there anything to remove from the consent agenda this evening, council? >> Anything, council?
>> No. Okay. >> I believe there are some abstensions. Would you like to voice that now before we do roll call? >> I will be abstaining from uh the council meeting uh both meetings on May 19th. >> I'm abstaining from the closed session
meetings date uh June 1st. >> Thank you. All right. Do we have a motion to accept the consent agenda? >> Do I have a motion? >> I'll make that 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. >> On to new business. Mayor, >> new business. City solicitor. Any new business? Nothing tonight. Thank you. City manager. Any new business? >> Um I'm only going to comment that you just adopted um ordinance 605 regarding
the um and that's the our partnerships program that we kind of use with uh for parking. And uh we received an email today from another uh commercial establishment wanting to join our ranks. And you know, they they kind of have tried Park Mobile on their own,
but it's you know, it's it's I think they want to use it under the city umbrella that way. I think they'll get the advertisement that it's a city sponsored lot and stuff like that. So, the Marion Inn um has reached out to us and uh you know, because they have morning parking. So, it's kind of a little bit different. It's kind of like
the flip-flop from the ocean, you know, the ocean view kind of thing. Cricket Club, I'm I'm still I'm sorry. [laughter] Some things is sometimes hard to >> It's only been like five years. >> The cricket club. Sorry. >> I still say Alexander's [laughter]
cabanas. >> Don't be old like that. >> Yeah. Right. Okay. Uh anything else? Uh city manager? >> No, that was it. Thank you. >> City clerk. >> Nothing tonight. Tonight, mayor. Thank you. >> City council members. Uh Councilwoman Baldwin,
>> nothing tonight. Uh, Councilman Bodner, >> Mayor, you mentioned all of the different city departments that helped out and did so much this weekend. Just wanted to add my thanks and uh, you know, for all that all that everybody did. >> Yep. Uh, Deputy Mayor, >> no, nothing at this time. Thank you,
>> Councilman Meyer. >> I just want to share my experience with everybody. I was in Washington DC on the 5th. It was 110 degrees >> and uh, it seems like I'm always >> I'm only there in July for some reason. It's really weird, but I just want to
thank everybody from the county for putting up the uh displays for the New Jersey uh uh what do you call booth? Yeah, >> they're like more like rooms or air conditioned. It's really cool to see. And the facade of those buildings are actually >> flat. So, it looks like there's like uh
you know >> uh different type of architectural elements to it, but it's it's kind of a facade. But, it was really cool. I think uh Cayman County's booth was uh one of the nicest booths and there's some really cool ones out there. They had the Alamo in Texas. They had uh ski lifts.
Let's you can get you know photos on for Utah. Just really cool thing to see. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to uh see everything that the uh the country wanted to put out for themselves. >> I think K County came in second. >> That's what I heard. Yeah, there is. >> There was a lot of really positive
comments. >> Does a great job >> and nothing says New Jersey and Kay County than a nice sand castle >> as a sand castle builder myself. [laughter] >> That's great. Uh oh, I'll just uh quickly um I I think I failed to mention
this last week. It was an honor to um host the Black Heritage Trail U marker unveiling uh I guess two weeks ago now. >> Yeah. um the the uh lieutenant governor was here and that was a very nice event at the Macedonia Baptist Church. Um and
also just to add um through a grant we helped with through the city uh they did complete the elevator for the for the church which uh they were very happy with. They they said there were a few ups and downs with the projects, but it is an elevator, you know. So, yeah. Um,
[laughter] >> and um, >> and uh, happy 250 to everybody. That was a wonderful job throughout the whole city. Thank you very much. And we'll open it up for public comment. >> I'd like to just add a lame joke. >> No, please. Please. >> When you see a bike on its side, why is
that? >> Because it's too tired. >> Oh god. [laughter] Oh god. >> Same. Same. [laughter] >> Don't worry. >> Meeting near you. >> It's in my database. Don't worry.
>> What's next? [laughter] >> Jules Brown, 1010 New York Avenue. Uh, nice to be here. [laughter] Uh, my comments, frankly, are a little more on the serious side. Uh, regarding the Eastland Theater expansion. Um, I've
given Paul a copy of the comments and I'm not gonna I'm not gonna I was going to read them all but there's not enough frankly participation here that it would really fall on the deaf ears. Um, one of the things that that I'll just read the
preamble that I I support the Eastland Theater and the promotion of of the arts. Um, so my comments are not negative to East Lynn. Uh, however, the approval process raises a few questions. What started out as a theater project is
now a combination of uses including a commercial multi-purpose revenue generating edition. And I've I've watched that um the HBC meeting and they talk about different things from weddings to a jazz festival to a number
of things. So this is not just a quote movie theater. Um and um in this process there's been a number of private meetings between the the theater group and the city and the
the uh HPC. So there there has been a an approval by the HPC. Uh frankly a little disappointing. It was the discussion was a little over an hour but there are only four members that were there in the
quorum and they voted 40 to approve a uh conceptual approval. Um this is such a a major change in the city going forward that I wish there would be a lot more discussion about it. Uh, I understand from Paul that there's going to be a
public um demonstration, I guess you'd call it, of the entire project sometime in August. >> We're we're anticipating that they're going to come, I think, in the second meeting in August uh to make a present presentation to council because obviously most council haven't seen it.
I will be forwarding some of the what the H what they presented at HBC to council so that you everybody can see it. But um obviously they don't they don't have any we knew that they had to get HPC approval to even be considered here because your first question would
have been well does it meet the historical requirement. So really we needed to kind of get HPC's input to even have something to present to council uh for you to even consider accurately. Otherwise you would have been looking at five or six different little scenarios and then you'd be like
well I might like this one but I might not like this one. And ultimately you your decision would have to be couched on well what does HPC want to do? So that's why you know in this you know we kind of looked at and said let's have HPC make a review recommendation and and
if it comes here and it's something that council wants to tweak or do you know it'll go back to the beginning and take a look at it. >> Do we have sorry can I ask um does this this would need state approval agent? >> Yes. So the process has to be you know
it has HPC but before we can submit that for other permits including going up to the state >> council has to authorize it as a project. So once council >> the order the order is HPC city council then >> and then it'll go up to the state and then they'll make a determination if it
meets the standards. >> Yeah. Let me let me further add to this because in the current lease agreement that we have with uh Eastland Theater, it discusses an addition to be put on the back of the property and the lease agreement is going to have to change as
well. And I stepped down from that knowing my position here on council. I did not want to have anything um muddy that water. Um but that has to also come back to council as well. if there's anything else you want to add >> that and that was gonna be part of their presentation is asking for that
amendment because of that. >> So when when you forward everything to the rest of council include the lease agreement as well. Yeah. >> Correct. >> That's correct. I mean it's slightly different. Well, I don't even know if slightly is the word, but it's a different concept than what was
contemplated in that lease. Doesn't mean that it can't be considered, but they need to make that presentation to council. And I think it what Paul indicated is accurate. I mean, if they came here without having at least some initial feedback from HPC, I think that would benefit council review of that one
way or the other. That that was the that was the basis for the order. >> But I I think to answer your question, Jules, I I I think everyone up here wants to make sure that this is vetted and fully public. Well, there's another there's just a technical legal issue that that you'll solve. And that is
we've got we've got two two deeds as I understand it. >> And the way this project is being done, it's being done as one building. You going to have the existing church and the expansion. And as I understand
it, it will become one structure. So I'm I'm guessing you're going to merge them the the deeds. Well, the city purchased the city's deed for those two properties is in one deed and it references two individual lots. So, what they're
proposing is expanding and doing an addition into that additional lot that used to be the CCA building that's now a parking lot. So, that's the concept, but that's not under the lease. So, that's why they need to come back for an amendment. Not only what's the design,
but that how it have to be accomplished through a lease amendment. >> Normally in going back in what I did for a living before I could go and make a presentation, there would be a requirement that I have the authority to
do that. I don't know that East Lynn made a request of the city to pursue uh their application and whether the city accepted that proposal and agreed that they could represent the development
plan for the city's property. That's I know it's a it's a mute thing, but it's a process that I think is important that we some establish some procedures as to how you're going to handle city property properly. Um, >> Mr. Roush. >> Yeah.
>> May I add something? Um, I want to thank you for bringing this up today because I have not been made aware of any of these plans except for what we had approved in the past for an addition to the back. And you know, I understand some of the argument that, you know, HBC is going to flesh out the different types of
approved uh, you know, uh, conceptual design approvals, but I would have liked somebody from the Eastland Theater to come to city council and say, "Hey, we're thinking about removing the parking lot that we just built for parking and to put a building on that parking
lot." And then I would say, "Okay, these are my concerns. Now go to HBC with this." Uh, I think that I think I don't think the horses before or behind the car. I think there should have been two horses right driving the car together. I don't think that was done in this case.
>> Well, that's that's what I meant. Shame. >> And I still might not like the design that HBC uh, you know, approves. So, I feel like that I've been left in the dark in this. And I feel like I hope somebody from Eastland Theater and somebody from the city council and somebody from uh our uh manager's
offices is going to meet with me and describe to me what the heck is going on because guess what? Um the trains left the station and I didn't even know what time I was supposed to be there. Well, that that's what I tried to say is
before East Lynn should have developed any kind of information, they should have made a request to the city in writing, can we entertain adding to the AM church the additional property
as a and define what it is that they plan to do and then the city respond to them in writing and saying, "Yeah, we we think the concept that you're discussing is reasonable and we approving you to go ahead and make an application before the city. I don't think that that's been
done. But to answer your question, uh on the 5th of J on June 15th when the HPC met, that was the first time they had ever heard the application. And in less than two hours, they approved a conceptual approval. For the size of the project and the
meaning that it it it has where we're introducing an entirely new architectural concept in the city, I think deserves a great deal more consideration, thought uh not only within the boards themselves, but the
community. Um, I won't spend any more time talking about my my various questions. Paul and I have discussed them a little bit. Um, and it has to do with to what extent will the the development of this property
end up being how will it be used? Will it be used in conjunction with the theater or is it going to become a commercial enterprise? The way I understand it now, they will have the opportunity to be a a revenue generating
facility that will be available to whomever chooses. So, does the city want to impose some restrictions? As an example, two very simple ones would be restrict restricting the sale and distribution of
drugs or the sale or consumption of alcohol. To what degree does does the city want to place a restriction on the use of that property? >> Mayor, Mr. Question, do any of those things exist? Any conditions exist in the current
lease? >> There are operational limitations and use limitations into the lease. I just want to be clear, there is no lease provision right now for this proposed um new construction. All of the comments
of Mr. Roush and Mr. fire I agree with and I think ultimately the HPC agreed with too because it was conceptual approval at that point for the concept but very much with the understanding that it would have have to go through
the council channels and I think not the applicant appeared to present I don't think they were in a position to turn them away necessarily let the presentation go forward for what it was at the time but it's not the basis for a permit at this point it's It's purely a
conceptual approval. Um, and as it relates to what happens on this other portion of the site that's not under the lease, that is a policy decision that is entirely within council's purview that hasn't been determined yet. So, those are those are all issues and questions
that can be flushed out through that discussion. >> Would that be part of the presentation? Do we anticipate or should we request >> uh the proposed use of that in addition to the design is something I would anticipate the applicant will want to
present to council you know to to explain that and be prepared to answer those questions. >> Okay. >> And then there's a question of will there be any variance request that necessary parking I I believe parking will be a required variance that will
have to be granted. Jules, can I just tell you I I share um in Mr. Meyers um I didn't know I actually didn't know about the HPC um application. So I I think we could all try to answer your questions, but I I I have catching up to do,
frankly. Uh so I'm not going to try to do that. But let me just say this, like so the questions that you're asking are questions I think we all would want the answers to, especially in regards to drug use and things like that, which will not be happening. Um, but I mean I
just want to be clear. Um, so why don't you let us catch up a little bit because it sounds like we all need to to be honest with you. >> Frankly, the reason why I came I appreciate >> I didn't I realized that there was let's say a a lack of of information and
knowledge not only within a couple of boards but the entire town. So >> unders. We agree. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Rous. Anyone else for public comment? Seeing that, we'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Um, close session.
>> Close session. >> I'll close. Thank you very much. [laughter] >> We're going to we're going into close session. And do we anticipate action? >> Uh, I don't think we anticipate any formal action based on >> just for anyone who may be watching, we don't anticipate to be taking any formal
action. Thank you so much and have a great evening everybody. >> Time is 3:59 into close session. You forgot somebody what I haven't seen it just [laughter]
after that. All right, we're coming out of close session and we're not going to take any further action. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right, thank you everybody. Have a wonderful day.