All right. Good evening everyone. We have a regular meeting of the city council of the city of Cape May, New Jersey. Today is Tuesday, March 17th, 2026. The time is now 1 minute past 5:00 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.
>> 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 city website and the city hall bulletin board. Notice is hereby provided that city council meetings are audio recorded and or video streamed live. Live video streams are
posted to the Kate May city website. 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 solictor Schwarz >> here. >> City Manager Dietrich >> here. >> Deputy Manager Riggs >> here. Deputy Clerk Turner >> here. >> Chief Financial Officer Reid >> here. >> And City Auditor Costello >> here. >> Any additions or deletions tonight? Council,
>> anything council additions or deletions? >> No. Okay. Updates are old business. City manager. >> Thank you. Um just an update from public works. Uh they've been out diligently cleaning up after the storm, but they've also found some time. They've also
started their spring planting of flowers around town. So, um, we're trying to hope to get some good weather going this way. So, public works is doing their their job by getting some flowers out there to try to make us think it's springtime. Um, the other thing I wanted
to announce, uh, Justin uh was awarded um one of the top uh 250 local uh public servants uh in the country um by the International um uh managers association. Uh so he's going to get an
award uh coming up in May and he was one of only eight in New Jersey that received that award. So 250 professionals were >> recognized. >> Congratulations. >> And I just want to follow up on the chatty bench. This if we didn't have the
emergency this morning, the chatty bench sign was going to go up today, but the chatty bench sign will be going up tomorrow morning out in front of the community center. So um I know we had a resident ask about that. We worked over the winter to get a sign up there and we figured February and January wasn't
necessarily the best time to put a chatty bench out there. Um, so the chatty benches will be uh in full swing and and ready for people to uh chat up a storm out in front of the the community center. >> Community center sign looks great. So all the guys out there looks really good. >> Thank you. >> It does.
>> That's all I had this evening. Thank you. >> Okay. City solicitor. >> Nothing tonight. Thank you. >> City Council, any updates or old business? Okay, right into budget discussion. Lauren, Leon, take it away. Thank you.
Thanks. So, tonight is the introduction of your budget, even though it's been in process for quite a while. Um, formally, we will introduce the budget tonight as long as three of you say okay. Um, the budget is within both caps. There's no
problem with that. Um the ratables went up $12 million which is kind of like the normal increase you've been having. Um your fund balance is up another million dollar. We're using a lot of that to offset this budget. The budget contains a two cent tax increase and let's see
you would have seen uppers introduced is just like 297. North was 287. Um West KMA hasn't introduced yet. Trying to think who along here. See all introduced at threequarters of a cent
and these are all the good ones. The rest of them are going to be five, six, seven, eight, nine cents. So you're going to be on the bottom of the tax increase list, which is a good place to be. Um, all the services are being provided. There's nothing being cut. You're meeting all your obligations, all
your salary needs, all your capital needs, all your debt service needs. So tonight again, even though it's been a long time working on this, it's only the introduction and that means that we now start the process. You are state exam, which means the state will look at this
and the public hearing will be on April 21st, which at that point in time, we can change any line item that you're allowed to change. We can't change debt service, can't change pension. You there's a handful of things that we can't change. So if something comes along that Lauren has it that needs to
be changed, we can adjust it on the 21st and adopt it then. So like I said, your 2.0 is going to be way down there in the list of all the increases. I'd love to tell you what the other ones are, but I can't until they announce it, but you're going to see when the paper starts
coming out. This is the first year in 52 years I didn't have a budget introduced in February. None. You know why? Everybody's waiting to see. I'm gonna let him come out first and see what that number is in. And I don't want to be the first one to come out with a 6.2 cent increase. So it's very tough times right
now in New Jersey as you know. This is the first increase you've had. What Zach and >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So it's it's been an issue um everywhere in the state. You know what health benefits have been crazy. Everything's up. Yeah. So there's no place to get it
from other than through taxes. you are fortunate with a lot of different revenues that you get from outsiders, you know, the tourists that come in for parking, etc., beach fees. So, it keeps you uh hotel room tax. I mean, there it's quite a bit of stuff that you get that a lot of towns can't get. So, with
that, anyone say anything? >> Um, well, I just wanted to um recognize and thank everybody that helped put the budget together. It's a pretty big document and it's definitely a team effort in putting it together. So, you know, between all the department heads, the manager's office, uh, Patty, my
deputy, and and the auditor, really, it's I want to thank everybody for all the effort put into this to to put this document together. >> Great work. Thank you. >> Yeah, thank you, Lauren. >> So, I guess council comments before you
do the resolution. Council, any questions or comments? >> And I'll just comment. I mean, I know that I and I think my colleagues, everyone went through this pretty thoroughly with the city manager and deputy city manager and Lauren, very open to questions, comments. Um, you
know, I I feel comfortable in understanding where we are. Um, I think that, uh, in the last six years, uh, there's been a concerted effort to keep the taxes um, with no increase. But, you know, the reality is there's only so much revenue that does come in through
the touristbased. and we are getting to the point where that's pretty much hitting um the ceiling um without taking a look at generating it another way or increasing fees and we've been pretty aggressive with doing that in the last 3 to four years with the help of MTRA. So
um you know I feel comfortable in understanding where we are um and obviously now it's a matter of evaluating and keeping an eye on operating expenses and and other expenses. um 90% of our budget is people. Um and with that comes a cost.
Uh some of it controllable and some of it not. So that's where I think we have the opportunity um to understand what's being done and how it's being done. So >> I think we might be one of the only towns in the country that had our uh taxpayers association recommend that we
do a tax increase uh the last couple years actually. Um but and I and I can Yes. And uh and to their point, um we want to make sure we're in healthy shape and that and that's exactly what we're doing in this
budget. Um we want to keep make sure we maintain a good fund balance for that rainy day event. We never know. Nobody predicted COVID, you know, obviously. So you never know what's going to happen with a a touristbased budget, which is
what we have. Um so, uh I think I just want to again echo uh the sentiments. Thank you very much for everyone who put a lot of work into it. And then, you know, one other thing, Leon, if you could go over for a second because one issue that we have right now a little bit is our cap that we, you know,
without raising taxes for a few years there. We kind of have an issue with our cap that, you know, we are up against it a little bit. Can you could you go over that? >> Yeah. Well, there's there's two caps. The one that that you haven't been
raised in taxes on has a bank of 2,971. >> You could raise 2,971 more and be legal. >> I know you don't want to do that with every 290,000 being a penny with 300,000 being a penny. >> You that would be quite a bit, but
you're you would be allowed to. So something happens that um there's a bad year it's rains every weekend. There's no beach fees. there's no parking >> and your fund balance drops dramatically. You have to raise taxes once you have the ability to, >> right? >> The other cap is the spending cap is the
one that's an issue. >> Um, you're right up against that. That's the people cap. That's the salaries and wages, pension, health insurance. Those numbers are all crazy. >> Yeah. >> So, that's the one we have to watch out for going forward >> is how are we going to get inside this
cap because you have to one way or another, right? Um, and you'll have really no bank running forward on that one because we're right up against the the amount that we're allowed to use this year. >> Right. >> So, that's one task that's going to be
interesting for 27 >> is fitting within the cap. Again, >> if I could real quick, with with that cap, the salary and wages, um there was a lot of adjusting within this budget to make sure that the the different um
people align with whatever um utility or or they're actually charged to. >> Um so that helped quite a bit as well. >> It did. So, that's one thing that the public will start to see a little bit of that that there's been realignments and they're actually adjusted to the uh you
know to wherever they need to be charged. >> So, >> yeah, I actually had a conversation with Deputy Manager Riggs just about that last week again and said, you know, there really needs from a payroll standpoint to be very diligent about that because it certainly helps us
recognize where those expenses are and putting them into those utilities as appropriate. um is critical. Um so from a payroll standpoint, having the department heads be really diligent about that going forward is is to our benefit. So >> yeah,
>> thank you for all your work. >> Yeah, thank you very much. Anything else, council? Okay, moving on to the is budget resolution first. Is that what we're doing? >> Yes, we have 135-03206 resolution for the approval by council
of the local municipal budget. >> Do I have a motion? I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Questions or comments? Council, roll call. >> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade? >> Yes. >> Council member Roder? >> Yes.
>> Council member Baldwin? >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Uh, so we'll see you in a month. >> See you in a month. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And is is this on the website yet? It will be now that you've
introduced or approved it, we'll be putting it on the website. It'll be published as as required. >> My my uh presentation was up on the website. So, they kind of had had a snapshot previously, but the this document will go up next, you know, tomorrow once we get going.
>> So, it'll be on the it'll be on the website. >> Yes. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> Uh I don't it's not on this, but feel Oh, you want to ask? Go ahead. Go ahead, please. If anyone would I'm going to open it up for public comments
specifically on um the budget. >> While Leon and and Lauren are both here. >> Yeah. >> Uh Jules Rous 1010 New York Avenue. Uh Mr. Castell, what does one cent represent in dollars? Around 350 or
>> 300. >> How much? >> 300 300,000. >> 300,000. >> Yes. Um what would you estimate or what is our our total debt either issued or approved along with the uh debt on bond
anticipation notes? In other words, where do we stand total in total debt structure? >> Okay. You have you have 42,200,000 in bonds and
authorized and unissued 3,540. So about 47 million total. >> Thank you. >> Mhm. Um, I'm a big ant big supporter of bond anticipation notes as
opposed to long-term financing of items which have a life or a question of of of life. And tonight there's a resolution to approve the uh the bonding for some fire equipment and a number of things
which have a life of maybe five, six, seven years. Uh would you think there's a a better chance of using bond anticipation notes for those kinds of purchases rather than 30 or 40year financing or 20-year financing?
>> We do use bond anticipation notes for the small things like that. And the bond ordinance there is a paragraph um probably paragraph 7 that says the useful life of this is x. Whatever that x is is the most we can issue. Let's say
it says 11.78 years. Our bond issue can only be 11 years. We can't exceed that number. So we don't have anything that's 2530 years old because you pay dearly for the uh interest rate on those the interest rate the closer you are to
maturity the lower the interest rate is. So, >> what would you guess is the comparison between the the interest rate on uh bond anticipation notes as opposed to long-term financing? How close are they? >> Uh the I just had a sale last week, last
Tuesday at in Gibbsboro. The bonds, it was a 10-year bond, was 2.66. The notes that they were selling for 3.4. So, the the long-term debt was cheaper than the short-term debt, which is not normal. You know, it's upside down.
Usually, the short-term debt is cheaper. And the rule in a short-term debt is we can carry that note for three years and we got to make a payment on it and we have to have it all paid off in 10 years. So, these little things you're talking about fit notes rather well. The difference is though that we have our
structure, we have different debt issues that fall off and we put a new one on and take its place. So we don't have a bond sale every year. We have a bond sale whenever we accumulate enough money to sell because they're expensive to do. So the more that we have in one sale,
the cheaper. And usually we wait till one issue's fallen off, we make the last payment, we put the new one on. So we try and keep the taxpayers relatively stable over time. You've put on the firehouse. We've borrowed the money on police station. We haven't seen an increase in debt with those two
borrowings because we've been able to manage our debt service going through the years with the um the anticipation of three major projects, the DAW plant, the seaw wall, and Cape Island Creek retention
wall. Th those three projects are somewhere between 125 and $150 million. all of which we're going to depend on significant grant andor low interest loans. Of those three projects, um, have
you looked at all as to how much of the debt can we support for those three projects? We do this often down here. You can ask Paul. I come down probably every other month and we chart out where we're going to stand. Um, all of it depends on how much the grants are going
to be. But the sea, we got to remember we have four different businesses here. The current fund, water and sewer fund, tourism, and beach utility. All of them have their own separate debt capacities. So the seaw wall we're going to get money for and we're going to borrow some. I'm sure that'll come under the
beach utility. So that'll be the be paid off over there. Like the police station, firehouse are paid off in the general fund. So they're they're all different funds that we're talking water and silver is going to be another one to do the del minus what all the grants are. So that's spread out over many different businesses, all of which we are hoping
to cover with what falls off and what comes on. Same story with each one of them. Nothing set in stone on those yet as far as what we're getting. >> Do we do we actually have a what I call a debt reduction uh uh plan or program
as we we've been adding a great deal of debt the last few years. But is there an actual plan to reduce debt on an ongoing basis? I've been trying to to have and have submitted requests to council that that they adopt a 1% increase in in
taxes, real estate taxes as strictly an item for debt reduction. Um, and there was also a request that when we had the the room tax increase of 1% that that be allocated towards the the debt reduction. We don't we're adding debt
but there's no real plan other than the annual cost or for repayment, >> right? We're trying to keep the annual cost even. Remember now you've had some serious size projects in the last five years here. So we can't do you're getting to to the point where after the
seaw wall after the del plant after the police station I don't know what you have out there that's major major after that. That's when we can start actually going down. >> We can probably find a few others. I'm sure you but but in all seriousness. Yeah. No, but let me can I just say one
because I just don't want the Stone Wave to report that we have $150 million worth of projects. I So my understanding is uh the estimate for the water department is closer to like 35 million. >> The seaw wall is 25 million. It may come
in you. We don't know what the bids come in but but that is the estimate is a close to 25 million. Um, and we're getting a grant for 25 million. So, the grant almost pays for the entirety of of the project. Again, we have to bid it
out and it could come in at 27 or something. I don't, you know, I don't know. Um, but and then the other one was >> the other one is is in the design and permitting phase and it won't move to construction because there again that's going to be like the Seaw wall extension project. We're doing the design and
benefit cost analysis to apply for a FEMA hazard mitigation grant to pay for it in a majority just like we did for the seaw wall extension. So most likely that project won't get put onto the books as a capital project until we know a significant source of grant funding
for that project. So you know you know we're really down and in the 25 you know $65 million range but we're probably getting almost half of that if not twothirds of that in grant funding.
So, um, you know, so it's really not a lot of debt service that's going to go on there as a percentage of the total project costs. >> We have also the consideration for beach replenishment, which we certainly hope
we get, uh, along with the Delaware Avenue and Wilmington Avenue projects. And I'm not sure, but I believe there's a a contribution for each of those projects going forward. the uh the Delaware Avenue uh project, the
Revetment project, that's a county sponsored project. So there'll be no cost share from the the city. And I also believe the Wilmington Avenue uh project, that's an Army Corps project, that's also a county sponsored project, not a city sponsored project. So I don't
believe there's going to be any true cost shares in that. >> I remember your point, your point of it being expensive is certainly true. I I just I just don't want it to get reported that we have all that money that isn't being paid. That's all. >> No, I just just trying to see what
what's going to be the final analysis of how much is the taxpayer going to have to come up with. But I recall with the Wilmington Avenue project, there was an agreement that uh the city would be contributing a certain percentage of that that cost.
>> You mean Delaware Avenue? No, I think you >> Wilmington Avenue >> extension of the seaw wall. >> Oh, the army corps. >> The army. >> Yeah, the seaw wall. >> No, >> the poverty beach. The the what I'll call the wing wall. >> Yeah, he he's talking about this the extension of the of the sea wall.
>> Deputy mayor, your microphone. Deputy mayor. >> Sorry. >> Sorry. Thank you. Thought that was an Army Corps project. >> It is, but I understood I didn't obligation. >> We were going to make a contribution. >> I think I think our contribution is going to be there. some of the project that we're doing as part of our seaw
wall extension project. In other words, the the timber bulkhead that's out in front of that that we're kind of doing. So there's there's work that's associated with that project that the city is doing as part of our FEMA seaw wall project. So I think that's probably where our cont you're thinking our
contribution is coming in play. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. the most. >> Any anyone else before Leon and uh Lauren leave? Okay. All right. We'll close public comment. Thank you very much. We'll we'll reopen public comment
momentarily. >> Um thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Ordinances for second reading. Yes, we have 591-2026, ordinance amending chapter 525 of the city code to promote affordable housing
in the C5 zoning district with a public hearing this evening. Mayor, >> that's okay. Public hearing on 591. It's the uh C5 zoning district for affordable housing. >> Is anyone here on 591 2026, the C5
zoning district? Seeing none, we can close public comment. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions or comments, council? I see Craig is here with us. If for any questions, all good.
>> Happy to answer questions. >> Okay, I'm good. Roll call. >> Council member Meyer. >> Council member Meyer. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Deputy Mayor McDade. >> Yes. Council member Bodner, >> yes. >> Council member Baldwin,
>> yes. >> Mayor Malik, >> yes. >> 592-2026, ordinance repealing and replacing chapter 59, article 5 entitled affordable housing in the city code with a public hearing. Mayor, >> is anyone here wishing to to speak on
592? Seeing none, we can close public comment. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions or comments? Roll call. >> Council member Meyer. Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade. >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner. >> Yes.
>> Council member Baldwin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Patty. >> Bye. >> Hi. >> 593-2026 ordinance repealing and replacing chapter 59 article 6 entitled uh
development fee requirements of the city code with a public hearing. >> Is anyone here wishing to speak on 593? 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. >> Questions or comments? Roll call.
>> Council member Meyer. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade. >> Yes. >> Council member Broader. >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik. >> Yes. >> 596 2026. A bond ordinance providing for various speech utility improvements by and in the city of Gate May, County of
Gate May, state of New Jersey, appropriating $300,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $300,000 bonds or notes of the city to finance the costs thereof with a public hearing. >> Is anyone here wishing to speak on 596? Seeing none, we'll close public comment.
Do I have a motion? >> Make a motion. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Any questions? >> Roll call. >> Council member Meyer. Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDeade. >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner. >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullock. >> Yes.
>> 597-2026. Bond ordinance providing for various 2026 capital improvements by in the city of Kate May County of Kate May state of New Jersey appropriating $3,780,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $3,65,97
bonds or notes of the city to finance the part of the cost thereof with a public hearing. Is anyone here wishing to speak on 597? Seeing none, we'll close public comment. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second.
>> Any questions or comments? Roll call. >> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade? >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner? >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin? >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik? >> Yes. 598-2026, a bond ordinance providing for various
water sewer utility improvements by in the city of Kate May, county of Kate May, state of New Jersey, appropriating $400,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $400,000 bonds or notes of the city to finance the costs thereof with the public hearing.
>> Is anyone here wishing to speak on 598? Seeing none, we'll close public comment. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Do I have a second? I'll >> Who's taking it? >> I'll second it. >> Questions or comments? >> Sorry, Lorraine. >> Roll call.
>> Council member Meyer. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade. >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner. >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Malik. >> Yes. and 599-2026 bond ordinance providing supplemental funding for various water sewer utility improvements buying in the city of Kate
May County of Kate May state of New Jersey appropriating $1,475,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $1,475,000 bonds or notes to the city to finance the costs thereof with a public hearing. >> Is anyone here wishing to speak on 599?
>> Seeing none, we'll close public comment. Do I have a motion? I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any questions or comments? >> Roll call. >> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade? >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner? >> Yes.
>> Council member Baldwin? >> Yes. >> Mayor Malik? >> Yes. >> All right. Next, we have public portion on the resolutions only. Mayor, >> is anyone here wishing to speak on the resolutions this evening? >> Please come to the microphone, state your name and address.
Seeing none, we'll close public comment on resolutions. >> And next is the consent agenda. Is there anything council would like to remove from the consent agenda? >> Council, anything you'd like to remove? >> Okay. Do I have a motion? >> I want to make a comment.
>> Yeah, please. >> Mayor, I just want to tell the mayor manager that I really like this new format of your manager's report and everybody, all the department heads have really thoughtful comments about what they did the last month. >> Thank you. I've been working on that with the department heads and I I think you're going to I think you've seen some
growth even from last month to this month and and that you know each of the department heads are kind of putting a little more narrative to their work effort and stuff like that adding some pictures and I think it's just helps show council and the public what's been going on just from a little snapshot. Well, I think it gives us a real
appreciation for sort of the complexity of the work that they do and the details and you know, sometimes there's things that go on that we don't really know those specifics and it's really been I find it very very informative. >> Thank you. I appreciate >> them for their hard work and doing and
I'm sure it's very time consuming. >> That's great. Any other questions or comments? >> Roll call. Um, do I have a motion and a second to have a motion agenda? >> I'll make the 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. >> New business? Mayor? >> City solicitor. Any new business? >> Um, just to briefly report, there was one resolution on the consent agenda
supporting Senate Resolution 106. And I just wanted to note to council, there was a discussion with the HPC last night on that topic and and they wanted of course wanted to see what city council would do tonight um in supporting that
and I I think there's a sense from them that they are support that and are share the concerns with the new real packed regulations and wouldn't want to see a requirement to go above three BFE.
Um, and in other words, they think they're satisfied with the current regulations, and they're going to have to manage that on a case-byase basis with contributing structures in town. So, a one-sizefits-all, everything has to go to this height really does create some planning
concerns for an organization like the HPC and other municipalities with historic resources that they have to manage. And that's also with they are trying to work with applicants for flood resiliency for solar panels and things
like that. I think you see the HPC really try and accommodate those things where possible, but they also have to push back if it's going to impact the historic nature of the structure. So, um, I think you're going to see them probably take a similar approach to
this, uh, from a policy standpoint, but I just wanted to let the council know that the HPC is sort of looking at this the same way. >> That's it. Thank you. That's a it's a difficult uh discussion, you know, just
to give people the HPC of course is always concerned about the look of a house if you raise it up. you know, they don't want it to necessarily look like um you know, those houses on stilts that you see in the Carolinas or whatever. Um they really obviously want to meet the
regulations but also have that historic look that we're used to and meet this historic standards, national standards, right? >> Designs Oh, I'm sorry. just the the design of the house doesn't isn't conducive to having it up in that kind
of a envir problem that they encounter and that they you know you see a a neighborhood street some houses have been raised some houses have been not and then under this new standard you might have a what appears to be a normal
cottage type house that just has to meet the new elevation and all of a sudden it's way up in the sky compared to everything else. So, and that really does create a streetscape issue, which is precisely what the HPC has to manage. So, >> and and and I've been talking with them, and I think that really the impact is
not necessarily to the home itself as being a historic contribution, but it's really our national historic landmark status. I think that's really the the where the impact really lies because as you would change that streetscape and then you start having that hodgepodge of
you know you look down the street and then you get something that is out of character is that going to degrade our national landmark status um as a city. Um so I think that that's the bigger uh issue um that we're wrangling and and we
do have exemptions for that. So, I've been wanting to really engage HPC to to look at that and if if they kind of concur with that, starting to be proactive with applicants because under these new rules, every applicant has to make an
application to the D before they make an application to the city. And that includes if it's for a fence, for a new patio, impervious coverage, an addition, and there's all different levels of there's like four different levels of
permitting or certification that you have to do, but they all have to be submitted, you know, for as simple thing as fences, decks, additions, all those kinds of things. And and so it's not just we're not just talking about a new house where we're trying to raise it high or an addition or those kinds of
things. It has a broad impact of uh on our city. >> Great. Thank you. Um Oh, city manager, any up any other updates? >> No updates. Thank you. >> City clerk. >> Uh yes, just a reminder that the next regular council meeting is scheduled for
March 31st, Tuesday, March 31st at 5:00 p.m. So, we will not be holding the first meeting in April. So, it'll go March 31st to April 21st. Um, and then tis the season merkantile license renewal invoices were emailed out on the
March 6th and March 9th. So, I'm going to sound like a broken record at these meetings. Everybody, please check your emails. If you are renewing mercantile ly, please check your junk folder first and if you still don't have it, then you can reach out to my office either by
phone or email. It would have come from the licensing katem.com. uh we are having a lot of people forget to include the required proof of insurance. We're about four years into this that the state has required that a lot of people are not sending it in with
their application. So it's a bit of a burden on my office to kind of communicate back and forth with applicants. So I do please um ask that you really carefully review the cover letter that was emailed out with the renewal applications and if you did not get it, please reach out to my office and we can resend it to you. Okay. And
that's it. Council. >> Thank you. Uh, city council members. Um, council, who who's going first tonight? Councilman Bodner. >> Nothing tonight, Mayor. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, who do we have next? Bodner.
Baldwin. Bald. I went out of order. It threw me off. >> It's okay. >> Councilwoman Baldwin, I'm sorry. >> Nothing. >> I was throwing you for a loop. Um, Deputy Mayor, >> nothing tonight in Mayor. Councilman Meyer, sorry.
>> Happy St. Patrick's Day. >> Happy St. Patrick's Day, everybody. With that, we'll open it up for public comment. Anyone wishing to speak on any and all matters, please come to the microphone. State your name and address for the record. Stacy Sheen, 928 Columbia. Um, I just
have a couple questions about the the boardwalk, I guess, preservation that's going on. I noticed that they're digging up the ground in front of mermaids, but it's almost going all the way to the to the area we just paved.
>> Thank you, Craig. >> Which is the first arch. >> So So that's they're digging that up. So that area is concrete and a lot of it was deteriorated. So they're digging that up to replace it with new concrete that is not cracked and broken up. >> Okay. Cuz I think we just didn't we just
replace that? No, not the concrete. They did from like about where the arches start, we re resurfaced that area heading towards primal, but that area of that concrete was not new. >> We just just concreted over top of the rocks. I thought we concreted all over
that. >> No, you you put asphalt. That's what was had the color coating on top of it that was widened and and paved as you head head west from from Gurnie. But that area from Gurnie towards Convention Hall
that we're have now tearing up is old concrete that was deteriorated. >> And what are they going to put down there? >> Concrete. >> Concrete. Um my next question has to >> just just for the public. That's where it was like really bad right out in front of the restaurant there. It was like a mixture of there was a little bit
of asphalt and it was actually the top of the seaw wall. Yeah. >> From where the seaw wall used to keep going >> and then it and then it was concrete. But it was a hodgepodge of >> Okay. bad. I guess >> where that's where the old the old restroom trailer was. It stopped right there where the restroom.
>> Okay. >> Left in front of the beach tag and office, right? >> Is where they're resurfacing. >> Okay. >> I I literally didn't even see you over there. >> Like you're like up. >> That was Eric Preszinski, our superintendent public work.
>> That was our DBW Superintendent Eric saying that it was the other side of where the restroom trailer used to be. For the record. >> Sorry. Um Also, I guess that same project, I noticed that the seaw wall, the top of that wall is going up like an almost a
foot, and I didn't remember that being in the plans. I didn't know when that got uh change ordered for that height change. It did get approved by change order. Um I think we had discussed it earlier or I'll say later in last year, but I think it got formalized either at the last
council meeting. I think last council meeting the formal change order was approved >> to increase that height. >> Yeah. for the c certain wasn't the entire section. There was I think from Queen to Gurnie I believe it is. >> Well, I see it going actually past Gurnie. It's also like it's going to
Decatur that it's being increased. >> Yeah, it might be to Decator. I forget what >> but I didn't know if it was going further down the beach drive. >> It's not. It's it's we could not go down further because in areas where the prominade was at the same level as the seaw wall, the
drainage wouldn't have allowed it because the the the prominade is pitch so that the drainage runs from the beach to the street. So therefore, we couldn't trap the water. >> Okay. And I guess is it going to stop right at that ramp so that it doesn't
look >> stop at the ramp and transition at the ramp? Yes. >> Okay. Thank you, Paul. kind of the same way. If you look at the east end, the same way we transitioned it there, it'll kind of transition the same way at the ramp. >> Okay. Uh my next one has to do with
Jacob Jones. Are we having any other information on when they're going to have another meeting about the project? >> I think we're f I think they did reach out to me. I think at the next council meeting on the 31st, I think I'll be able to announce I think they they're just trying to pinpoint a final date of
when they want to hold a public hearing and that they're anticipating trying to maybe have a public when I say public hearing, they're going to do one of those public Zoom sessions in advance of uh an upcoming council meeting and they're just trying to figure out when
their date is going to be, but it's coming up. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. Hello, Raj Johnson, 826 Lafayette Street. Um, now that it's nicer weather, I'm noticing um more ebikes on Lafayette
Street. And so my question is, have we thought about how we're going to be educating our residents and our visitors and our uh our our workforce? and not only educating but reinforcing, excuse
me, enforcing the um the ordinance that we have in place. >> So, Roz um we have this has been a constant topic of conversation with the bike and pedestrian committee. >> Bless you.
>> Bless you. As well as with the the city manager's office and with the police department as well. So the and specifically those two topics, one being education, the other being enforcement. Um as far as education goes, I mean the
the focus has been uh we are working the through the bike and pedestrian committee and with uh in conjunction with uh with the city working on uh coming up with a brochure or card much like for the low-speed vehicles uh that
was put out uh a couple of years ago. So, uh, we have had a couple of meetings to one develop what the information should be in there and then we're going to work on the design. Um, and there are members of the the bike committee that
are involved with that. Um, I'm participating in that. The city manager's office is participating in that. Police department is as well. So, we can get all the information in and tailor it to um to to folks. One of the reasons why we're focusing on that from an education standpoint is as you know
our our audience turns over on a you know every few days as far as educ from an education standpoint. Um we believe that the the low speed vehicle uh pamphlet that was developed a couple years ago has been very effective. It's a way to be able to distribute that
information out to folks and the u a another pamphlet we think would be uh will be helpful along those lines. Um in addition there have been discussions as far as how we can do further outreach as well. So through um conversations with
the city, conversations with the police department, um I mean I could tell you that we have have asked to see if there's other opportunities to explore within the community, particularly with the schools and other community groups to be able to uh discuss issues involving ebike education and following
what our local rules and local what our local ordinances are. Um and we're still we're still working on that, but um yeah, and as far as that the piece that you discussed regarding um enforcement as well. Um that
the city manager may be in a better position to uh to respond to that, but I know that there have been conversations along those lines as well. >> Yeah, this is something they're going to be working on as part of their daily enforcement activities. We did uh do a reach out with uh Cape Resorts. Cape
Resorts had their large training uh session and uh they allowed us to come in and and give like a little presentation on uh ebikes and safety and requirements. So, we are doing that outreach and we'll continue as Councilman Bodner said to uh as the
season approaches get that information out. I also thought um Chief Fashaw mentioned that they were doing something with the schools that they were going to they do a normal program, you know, with kids with education on, you know, different things and that they were
going to add talking about ebikes and >> those new laws, >> safety helmets and, you know, all of the normal, you know, education that they do. >> But I specifically remember having a conversation around some of the school programs that they do. But >> exactly. So there have been discussions
about that. I don't have specifics on that, but I know there's been dis discussions along those lines. Um, so they're yeah, I mean, they're they're definitely focused on that. And as far as the I'll mention the enforcement um as well, just going going back to that for a moment. I
know conversation um has continued on the idea of directed patrols. Um last summer, I think that they were effective from a from my standpoint, specific deterrence and general deterrence. people know people are out there and hear about it, they start it starts to
become you develop a new set of habits as far as how you operate and um you you you modify your behavior along those lines. That's what we're looking for. Um that's what worked as far as I think to a certain degree with the compliance for folks with the LSVS. You know, we're
just further behind the curve as far as when it comes with to the ebikes. As far as the issue with the registration and such, that really is that's a true educational component that we just need to explain to folks what is required. That's not something obviously that was
imposed by any municipality. That's on the state level. Um, and candidly, I think that uh people that have questions are still waiting to get some of those answers because motor vehicles needs to come up with some of those the infrastructure to provide licensing and
registration and such. I know our police department is on top of it to be able to educate folks who they come into contact with. Um, and we're going to do our best to get that information out to folks as far as what they need to do. um there and I suspect that's one of the reasons
why the legislation built in a certain buffer as far as to get all of this up to speed. Of course, when that buffer is ends is when we're going to be in the you know the the the prime of our season as well. So, um I could tell you though Raj, we're you know this is this is a
topic that uh of great interest and we are working on this. >> Well, it sounds like it's a work in progress and we have to learn by doing, right? >> It is. Yes. Um and also I just want to thank the council um at the last council
meeting um that you um approved a um open house on May 31st. Uh I think that's wonderful. I'm >> 20th. >> May 20th. I'm sorry. May what? >> May 20th. >> May 20th. >> Yeah. Sorry. Um very excited about that.
Um, you know, I'm a big advocate of communication and connection and I think this is a an incredible opportunity. So, thank you very much. Thanks. >> Thank you. Anyone else this evening? >> Good evening again, Jules Rous 10 New
York Avenue. Um, Paul, the report that you that you put out now of your function and the functions and all the activities, I thought that was really good. Really good. very very very complete and uh thank you. >> I I I hope a bunch of people read it
because it's it's the only way you can really find out what's going on in town. So if I'm may find differences that is very complete. Um I'm a little bit concerned about the increase in costs that we're going to
have with regard to the seaw wall and um Long Beach Avenue. We we've we've added on to the original approved plans significant costs >> and we needed to >> pardon me.
>> We needed to and and the reason why we needed to I kind of briefed this the last at one of the last time we did a change order. So the grant that we had from the the state um the contract the construction contract was significantly less than the grant. So
plus we had to have a 10% match. So I kind of had to add change order stuff in there in order to expend the entire amount of the grant. Otherwise I would have been leaving money on the table. >> So is it safe to say then that these additions are going to be paid for within the grant? >> Yes.
>> That's great. plus our match. >> Okay. So, theoretically, we're not going to have to come up with any new money. >> Correct. >> Good. Um I'm a bit concerned about the the city,
you know, we we adopted a cost reimbursement requirement that when uh uh city services are requested by nonprofits that these costs uh are really reimbursed back to the
city. And there was a lot of time spent on creating that ordinance and it's not being followed at all. I don't know of one instance this year, this past year, where the reimbursement was made. There
was always some reason why someone would uh would defer that requirement. I'd like I'd like I'd like you to to think about the need to have those costs reimbured to the city. >> They are not budgeted for and they're
extra costs that that we all have to pick up. Are you uh I mean are you talking like police uh >> the police? Yeah, it's police, fire, EMT. Okay. Public works all have uh involvement in many of these uh
nonprofit um income generating activities and what we're >> my understanding was we were collecting that fees. So, if if I may, council, so and if I'm understanding, I think you're talking about more of the special event
application that we um in implemented a few years ago. The only ones that come before council are the people who are requesting some kind of open consumption of alcohol. That's the only reason you see that or a waiver of fees. So, those
are going to be the only applications that council weighs in on. There are a number of other applications that are submitted through the year that just get routed through the convention hall staff and ultimately the city manager's approval that we do charge for. So the only time you're seeing them come before
council is because council has to approve open consumption of alcohol via resolution to go against the code um or the waiver of fees needs to come before council. So that's the only ones that you're seeing at these meetings. There are a number of other ones that we
actually do charge and people will pay to have um a special event in the city. >> So is it fair to say then we are we are being reimbursed for our expenses city's expenses >> generally in providing >> yeah except the ones that come before council and ask for waving of the fees
which generally is something that is a nonprofit. Can I amplify that because >> we recently did police services agreements for West Kate May and Kate May Point and one of the conditions that we included in the contract for each is that they each adopt and implement our
extra duty provisions so that if they have private entities that are putting on these types of events, they get routed through that process and there's a cost recovery. So we we expanded on that concept in addition to locally we included it in our shared services agreements.
>> Uh I mentioned earlier that I'm I'm concerned about repaying our debt. The consumer credit card debt as an example is up to one and a half trillion dollars. And we look at our town and we see how much money we're we're in debt.
But we don't have a plan to repay that debt. There are certain municipalities in the county that almost have a zero long-term debt. But we don't have a plan. And I think that should be a discussion that should take place of how
are we going to repay the debt as opposed to just worrying about the annual cost for each of the the uh the uh the bond debt. We don't we don't really pay attention to how we're going to pay our debt down.
We're just passing it on to the next two or three generations. Uh thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Roush. >> Uh BL 1313 Massachusetts Avenue pertaining to the EV bikes. want to be
uh with a merch child license with the uh people that are renting, should they get some type of notice that they need to convey that to their tenants? And besides Cape Resort with Curtis, all the other restaurants should have some type
of obligation to convey that message to their employees, too. >> So, we're working on getting the message out to everybody. So, as as far as we can reach. So um I >> for sure I'm sorry. Real orders obviously the the brochure and
>> Yes. Yes. So you know so we're trying to identify you know those those um that we would would would want to reach including you know hotels um the bike rental businesses um
shop owners that have employees or business owners that have employees that would be utilizing you know those as well. So um you know >> through the chamber through the chamber. Yeah. >> Exactly. >> But when they apply for merch license did they also get you know some type of
requirement that they need to convey that to >> when they apply for the merkantile license. We haven't the we haven't included that as far as with the merkantile license that they have to >> do something related to ebikes. I mean, I think that we're finding other ways to
get that information out to them to make sure that they, you know, that that they provide that provide that information to to their guests as well, um, and their employees. But candidly, I think we're we're trying to pick a method that we think is tailored specifically to, you
know, to the ebike community. So, we did this with the low-speed vehicle um pamphlet and targeted um conversations with vendors who actually rented low-speed vehicles. We don't have anyone on the island currently who's rent who's renting out the bikes. So, that's one of
the the other unless they're doing it at are they doing it at Shields in the Village bike shop? >> Okay. >> Yeah. So if I if I could add, my understanding is I believe there's only one vendor that actually is renting the ebikes and they're very involved in this
discussion and have these concerns. So they are someone who um you know what's been reported to us is they are already um monitoring this closely and you know addressing it with they plan on
addressing it going into the season as well. But I also think that Sorry. >> No, please. Please. >> Also think that people are also they're bringing their ebikes in and not being a aware of what the policy is. So, you know, I I understand because I' I've
seen people unload them, you know, and not understanding what the policy is. Uh so I I didn't know through uh through the tourism bureau or whatever that could be an additive something or whatever.
>> That's actually yeah that's a that's really in part the focus since we do turn over the vast majority of people that are in Kate May every few days or or every week to have a method to be able to educate have an ongoing education campaign for people including
those businesses. So when somebody goes and checks into a hotel, the information is right there. Have the information at convention hall, welcome center, local businesses, um places where people are people are renting. Um and if we can provide these to people who have, you
know, are doing individual renting homes, we're going to we're going to we I'm sure we could provide that information to them as well. Um and we're also um you know these conversations have gone including using the city website as well as social media
um which we've done for with with beach safety over uh throughout throughout the year. So I um would anticipate that we would use those same methods to get that information out to folks as well. So you're absolutely right. the the issue that that we are faced with is you
constantly have people coming into town not just for renting but bringing their ebikes in as well. So we'll do our best to inform those you know the folks that do come in as far as what is needed and then the other hand of it of course is uh you know enforcement for uh you know
within the within the community. What about having some walk-in officers? Especially I've seen on the mall with kids with their ebike ebikes. You know, I think having some presence on the mall because to me the mall that whole area is so important
>> because you know people would get intimidated with the ebikes and um not just the ebikes, you know, having dogs and stuff. You know, there's plenty of signs, but >> you know, I I would think have some walk-in officers having some presence
besides having the cameras, >> I think would be added, you know, for uh people would feel more safe. >> And I think we could um work with Chief Fashaw in regards to even handing out
some of those brochures, which they did for the uh golf carts when when they had the LSVs. That's I mean that's the plan. That's what he anticipates doing this summer. Similar to the the rewards that he does for the kids with the bike helmets and out handing out the reward
ticket, the positive tickets. So it'll be the same kind of campaign that he's done for that and and the low speed vehicles. What about at at that uh Mac tourist center or the tourist center over there have a like a little pamphlet
u you know when people get on the you know the trolley or whatever the case >> we're going to put it out as many locations as possible get I appreciate >> you're 100% correct that the whole idea is to try to to try to hit as many folks
that come into town and particularly um you know when we have high volume and areas where there's turnover. You're spot on. It's absolutely correct. So, >> I'm just throwing some ideas around. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. >> So, >> okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Anyone else this
evening? Seeing none, we'll make a motion to adjurnn. Make the motion.