And you know what? Miss >> it's generous. We'll work with it. and pressure. You're welcome. No, it was It's definitely a place I go back to. I think, you know, it's not as developed
because it's a little harder to get to, right? You jump up like, you know, but I thought it was great. I mean, we walked and walked and walked. It was beautiful. >> No, we went to um Pora Fel and uh what's the one the base is on?
>> We took a f Yeah. To Sarah. We took a a ferry across to Pora, right? Is that you do it the opposite? >> I forget. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah, we took the Ferrari over. It was It was
>> Yeah. Yeah. What the funny thing was, I mean, we were on a tour, but the guy was fabulous. And we went to this um was kind of out in the middle of nowhere. This couple that do like farm to table stuff. We had brunch there. They made, you know, just for our group. It's a
great great very fun um thing to do. They do like some breakfast and some dinners, >> but not a lot. You know, you have to really get in there, but um >> Oh, yes, we did. The one where the like the um I wouldn't say it was hot springs. We went to one of the pools
>> where it's, you know, you're kind of between all the lava rock. >> Snow >> packages. >> I think Justin is coming. >> No. That's great. >> You like it?
>> This is our pay raise. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. The salary increase for the environmental commissioners. >> Thank you. >> Yeah.
need John over here then >> we're changing >> they were so they was ti they were tied up there for a while >> so we all sat here now we feel it would be rude >> to talk to each other >> yeah he was saying he likes it better
when we sit around >> the chair >> I know it's very disorienting >> I know it's not usual our usual I'm having a nervous breakdown. >> I know. >> I don't know if I can adapt.
>> All right. Yeah, this upset the order of the universe. Let me bring it Everybody got a mic? The order of the universe has been the story. >> I know.
This is an energized group. >> Yeah. Wow. >> I don't know if this whole table will support this weight. Everybody mics on now. >> Um, >> compliance with the Open Public Meetings
Act of 1975, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided. If any member has reason to believe that this meeting is being held in violation of this act, they should state so at this time. Nobody. So pledge of allegiance, please. >> I alian to the flag of the United States
of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. either roll call or have everybody introduce themselves because we have a lot of new people here. >> Why don't we just go around and just
everybody can say especially who you are and what you've been doing and welcome everyone. I'm Mike Jones. I'm the chair of the committee. Uh I've uh I'm the planning board leaison to this committee and it's good stuff. Rose, you want to
start? Go ahead. >> Hi everyone. I'm Rose Tracanti. I'm an alternate to newly appointed member. >> Very good. I'm David Shler. I'm the secretary for >> Dave does a great job. >> Yes. Thank you, Dave.
>> Uh Jennifer Flammeni and I'm a new member. >> Good. >> Gretchen Whitman. I don't know, two years. >> Losing count. >> Good member. Go ahead. >> Steve Bodner. I'm on city council and I'm laz on to the environmental
commission. Uh I think the environmental commission has a really important voice in the streetscape and the infrastructure in Cape May. Um you know particularly shoreline resiliency is a really key issue um involved with with our town as well well as uh water
sustainability and the delivery of clean water. So I think that the um well the topics that we're going to be looking forward to discussing that are going to be constant topics of conversation are the seaw wall project taking place on Wilmington Avenue um the water
desalination plant that we're working on and I think that a lot of the issues that we will discuss will be uh collateral issues related to those particular projects. So, I really enjoy being lay on to uh to the commission. Look forward to continuing to work with everybody.
>> Barbra, um I was appointed by Mayor Mullik when he took over the reigns and so I've been here a while. Anyway, >> hi everyone. Uh I'm Tony McCaulay and I'm also new member and I'm an alternate.
I'm a new I guess advisory non- voting member and a recovering architect and chair of HPC. Hi everybody. I'm Sarah Stevenson. I've been on the board now. I'm in the same boat as Gretchen I think two years. I lost count. >> Very good.
>> Um I'm Justine Mcgariel. I've been on the commission a few years as a member, but I believe I have a new status now as advisor. Um which I'm hoping we can at some point discuss today. >> Randall Nishki. I'm a uh internal
medicine doctor trying to retire but with no success and I was dragged into this committee by my daughter >> Kim Groad. >> I love the committee. >> Um Kim Gronadol um happened to be on the committee. >> Good.
>> Dave, can you roll call please? >> Actually, yeah, go ahead. >> Mike, >> yes. here. >> Here >> Barbara >> here. >> Sarah >> here. >> Jennifer >> here.
>> Tony >> here. >> Rose >> here. >> John >> here. >> Justine >> here. >> Char on the phone. >> Charlotte, she's there. >> I am. >> Sunny Florida. >> Myself.
>> Yes. >> Very good. All right. We You want to guess? >> First things first things first. We do have one presentation. >> You want to do that now or what? >> Yes. Um why don't we why don't we do that Tony? We really appreciate you being here and we but we also want to
make best use of your time as well. So Mike, uh if you want to this is a the bridge p presentation for the first avenue pedestrian bicycle bridge. Um Tony, why don't you come up and you can introduce yourself, give a little information about your background, and
um as you're setting up, I'll just mention that Tony's been instrumental in developing the First Avenue uh pedestrian and bike bridge that will connect West Kate May to uh the city of Kate May, provide a safe route for folks
to be able to travel back and forth without having to uh go on Broadway. Um, a lot of bikes obviously go on Broadway now. Um, it's simply not safe. This will provide a um an alternative route for
folks to be able to walk and to bike and the thought is long-term uh this will also be able to tie into a pathway that would be able to take folks out to the point as as well. So it's it there's a there's a real cohesiveness we believe
with this particular project. Um the city of Kate May and West Kate May have been working u in collaboration on this. Uh West Kate May has been taking the the heavy end of the work uh by way of securing the funding and Tony has been
instrumental in developing this project has put together a really really good plan. We're really grateful uh for all the work that you've done. And Tony, I know you've had a chance to go before HPC to speak with HPC. Tony also came before uh city council and did a
presentation before >> uh city, sorry, >> bicycle committee as well. >> The bicycle committee as well. Yeah, you're making the rounds through throughout the different uh committees and the commissions. Um and it's it's a great way for everybody to have an opportunity to see what this project is all about. So, you were asked to come
here today um and uh and speak with us. So, I'm going to turn it over to you. So, thank you. >> Thanks, Steve. Um right here, I'm Anthony Chadwell. I'm the burough engineer for Burough West Kate May. We also do uh work with the city of Kate May as well. Um if everybody wants to get up here, I have a full-size plan.
It's not huge and I I didn't uh think to share it digitally, but this is the latest iteration of the uh First Avenue Bridge is what we're calling it. Um it connects West Grant Street um along existing burrow rights of way. Thanks.
Um to uh First Avenue, the dead end over there. Um so it's be split like 50/50. Um the municipal boundaries like right in the middle of the bridge. Uh the current iteration is a 55 foot long bridge um with a small like a timber
pile um like a boardwalk essentially leading to grade. Uh we're working through permitting right now with uh NJP. So this is all fluid. Um it's been an iter iterative process uh with all the stakeholders involved. I know Mayor
Mullik uh specifically asked at the HPC meeting to uh remove the fragmitees that are uh infesting uh both lots. So we are asking uh NJ uh for approval to remove those and replant with something more
native. Um, so that's uh definitely pertains to this board. Um, the HPC had some comments about uh the aesthetics of it. Um, if you want to pass this around, it's it's most it's going to be an arch style, but the the camber or the the
height of the bridge is going to be essentially flat, six inches from the middle to grade on each side. So, it's not going to be a huge arch um where bikes are going to be flying over it or anything like that, but it's going to be flat essentially with a arch architectural style. Um, it's going to
be weathered steel, like a brown weathered steel. So, if you wanted to pass this around just to take a look, it's probably going to look a lot like that one. Um, and then as it pertains to pilings, um, we're still going through
the geotech and that's why we have this like boardwalk style right here because the some of the, uh, soils on the north end of the bridge were very, uh, we'll say unstable. So, we didn't want to put anything on grade that could settle over time. So, uh, everything's the both
abutments on either side of the bridge and that boardwalk will be on piles. So, there will be no no settlement in the future. So, it should last, you know, way past any anytime we're still here. So, this will be a generational project. It's a multi-municipal uh project. We
will be submitting for awards at the DOT and um we'll take um drone photos before and after and it's going to be a banner project. So, um I think Steve already touched on the cohesiveness of the project. Um we're actually slated to
award um along West Grant on that side of the project and up First Avenue on the West Cape May side. um improvements to that road all the way to Sunset uh will include um some bike bike shares or bike lanes and signage uh to guide
people from the west side of West Cape May down that road first A and then eventually get to here without ever touching Broadway. So safety was always the crux of this project to keep people off of the the Broadway because right now the bike path slinks back and forth
on there and it's a dangerous roadway especially during the summer. So, um, and then the point, um, the county has a a project slated along the entire nature conservancy, uh, for thousands of feet is essentially like a boardwalk style,
um, 10-ft wide path, um, that will attach from the point all the way along Sunset to our um, project on First Avenue on the West Cape May side, which will tie into here. So, it'll get you all the way to the beach, all the way to the point. status of that
>> um this for the county. >> Well, yeah. I mean, who's what's is there anybody holding that? >> So, we I I have we have talked to Bob Church uh through this entire process. Um we'll say a couple years away for the sunset one. Um I think they're trying to
get the traffic circle done first, which is like this fall winter construction period, and then probably the next year after that, we'll they'll focus on Sunset. So, I think that's their timeline on that. Where is this bridge going to be? >> So, it looks like a lot, but it's
actually a paper street. Um, so if you're I don't know, a couple if you're driving up Broadway and you turn left on West Grant. Um, I don't know, five or six houses up. Yeah. Um, it looks like it's a lot, but
it's actually a paper street if you look on any tax maps. Um, so it's actually municipal rightway. It's not a developable lot. So we're utilizing that on Westcape May side and then on um it's the same situation on First A. Um so
essentially when they laid out the the the city's municipal boundaries and rights of way, this could have been a road leading up to West Grant Street. I don't know what they envisioned, but now we're using it as a pedestrian and bicycle facility. So on the on the Kate
May side, if you go um to me, I always visualize it in terms or describe it to people. If you're going to the Mount Vernon Beach entrance where First Avenue, you have Second Avenue, First Avenue there. You go to First Avenue and it is a dead end on the on
the Kate May side. The dead end being that's Cape Island Creek right on the other side of of everything that is growing there. That's where the bridge is going to go over from the Kate May side over to um and and um bridging that
span between West Kate May and um and Kate May. >> So, I would just add that um a couple a couple of items. One is that it's um and this is a a Kate May project. We have um we would
be looking to add uh the city would be looking to add a little more sidewalks on the Kate May side. Um if you go in that area, you notice there's sidewalks on one side, but there are not sidewalks on the other side. So, we had a discussion internally, but also we've
had several meetings with um folks who live on both both sides of the of the bridge to try to address their questions and their concerns. And one of them being about just traffic flow because look, it's going to be an area that right now it's a it's a deadend
culde-sac that there's not a lot of traffic there except for cars that go down there and find out that you can't go through and turn around. >> You still won't be able to drive through there. Um because it's not a it's not a vehicle traffic bridge other than
bicycles. Um but the will uh by having sidewalks on both sides, we hope that that and believe that that will encourage traffic flow both ways to keep the traffic flow on the right with bikes and and um and pedestrians and alleviate
some of the concerns for the for the local residents as well. So we've been in in constant communication with um with those folks. Tony, could you just mention um as well just what would be in planks? I I know there have been discussions people are concerned about whether people would be able to take an
LSV up there or what's what's going to be at the at the end of of each side of the bridge just to >> visually um give that impact for people that you you wouldn't be able to do that, but also to provide some type of safety barrier as well. Other than the
signage, um we'll have removable ballards there to if you know in the future we need to do any maintenance on the bridge. We can remove these and get small vehicles on there if necessary. But uh for all intents and purposes, there will be removable ballards on each end. Uh so low low speed vehicles or
golf carts can't access the bridge at all. >> And I'm I'm not sure if you had mentioned it, but I believe it's this is a 10- foot wide bridge. >> It's a 10 foot wide bridge. uh which is that's the that's a standard for being able to take bike traffic back and forth
and and the foot traffic. We think it's going to be um >> it's a that's it's going to be a very uh functional bridge as designed. >> Yeah, it's it's it's it'll be ADA and it's designed of dash standards for the width of the bridge to allow pedestrian
and bicycles to use them at the same time. Was there a a foot traffic study done for where it's going to be located? I don't want to sound disparaging, but it from looking at it where it's going
to be on the map, it may only be removing people off of Broadway for just like a block or two. >> Doesn't really seem It's really tucked back. >> Yeah. Do you want to address that first?
on first a people on Westg Cape May there's not a lot of sidewalks in general. Um so people are walking >> in the street already. Um and when they >> on the west side yeah there's not many sidewalks at all. So um as part of the
first avenue project we're including more signage and sherrows and um trying to delineate a a better path visually for these pedestrians. Um, I don't think Westgate May wants to build any sidewalks. So, if you're just looking at sidewalks, yeah, it doesn't look like
it's very accessible, but um, everybody on the Westgate May side's going to know about this project. They already do. I'm getting emails daily. So, um, and I think the bicycle committee in conjunction with GPI did a a bicycle
study um, for the whole west, the whole island. Um, so that that kind of >> it's really when you're riding a bike and you want to get out to West Kate May from Kate May or or or to the point, >> this is going to completely alleviate Broadway. I mean, the the traffic light
there and that's the whole point. >> Well, from Beach AB to Sunset once you have to turn onto Sunset >> and that's where they're talking about the future county project. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. So on Sunset there will be a similar
bridge or boardwalk that's 10 foot wide that extends the entire southern side of Sunset all the way down to the point. Um so it will be continuous. >> I just want to touch on um that that study that was a a a general study which
encompasses that area that entire that entire area specifically the issue as far as traffic flow on on Broadway. Um, candidly, Justine, I think there have been discussions on exactly what you had what you just raised
>> and I think that the consensus was is simply observational. We've have noticed that there's so much traffic um going back and forth and that um that that we will through signage will be able to
create that behavior modification for people to use to utilize uh the bridge. I think that right now a lot of people the um there's a there's a thought that this is kind of like the flows coming from West Kate May into you know into
Kate May to go to the beach. We have all the um additional parking now for bikes at the cove um that we had just done within the past couple years which if you go there on a typical summer day, you can see is very well utilized because those bike racks are
full. And I would add those every one of those bikes means you don't have cars trying to find parking spots in that in that area as well. But um as there is there there certainly is traffic that goes in the other direction as as well. Um and especially as this
county project gets developed as well for people to be able to bike out to the point or walk out to the point. Um I think it's anticipated that there very well could be even more flow going in the other direction. So I think it's going to be fluid uh between the two. Uh another aspect of of the the safety
piece of this because there had been discussion um raised as far as a a counter proposal to say to this was just uh making some other type of trying to do something with Broadway to make that safer. And I
think that that was explored, that was discussed, but you can't get around the fact that people are still going to have to cross Broadway to go one way or the other to get back and forth from West Cape May to Kate May in whichever way you're going. In one way, you're going to have to go go across there. And with
uh well, we have a history as well because we have had we have had uh problems on Broadway as far as with cars and and bikes and such. Um, and we think that uh the consensus has been that this is simply going to be a safer route and
will be will be high highly utilized. But that's a that's an excellent question. Paul, did you want to chime in on that particular issue or >> Well, I mean, the itself is is is for safety. You know, it's obviously going to be
safer to use this pedestrian bike bridge on First Avenue and have all the traffic on First Avenue as opposed to having it on Broadway. I mean, that's just so it's being done for safety. >> And we have talked to the county engineer about how to improve Broadway.
Um, and other than losing a ton of parking and reconfiguring, um, there wasn't much interest on their side. They got bigger fish to fry, it sounded like. So, um, this was all on West Kate May and Kate May city, uh, available land. It's kind of like
lowhanging fruit. It's something that we could do today rather than just rely on the county to hopefully cross our fingers and they figure something out in the future. >> But you still have the problems of the intersection at Broadway and Sunset. Even if you kept them on Broadway, then the intersection at the the traffic signal is going to be a worse
intersection than having them come out and that'll put them out to right at the new county project, you know, for that bike lane. So, especially somebody from Cape May City wanting to ride out towards the point, it's going to be much more safer
to do this than even if the county did do the bike, you know, took away parking, put bike lanes down Broadway, you know, it's still going to be, you know, if you were going to if you're think about it, if you're heading down on the right hand shoulder of Broadway and then you go up to to the
intersection, then you're going to have to navigate across that intersection to get over to the the new bikeway that the countyy's building, whereas here you're going to be o off of that Broadway intersection at sunset and
get on there. And so it's just going to be more safer overall. And as part of that sunset project, um the mayor of West Kit May has requested Bob Church to include uh raised pedestrian crosswalks with flashing beacons on either end on
sunset at least at Pacific if not at a second location to you know uh really make it a lot safer to cross sunset to make that that navigation. A few months ago, we had a presentation um about this from the neighbors
>> about their concerns utilizing the environment basically as their concern. >> Um has have you taken that into consideration and and what kind of measures have you >> So we we did wetlands delineation which
are shown here on the Westgate May side specifically. it was uh noted to be 98% of the fragmitees which we have plenty of. So um replacing those with more native plantings uh and maintaining those I I believe will be a more beautiful sustainable practice rather
than just letting fragmitees run wild. >> So that was taken into >> part of your application with the DP. Do you have to include a maintenance plan >> because you know how fragies are just going to take it over? >> You can't just cut those down. So, we're going to, you know, have to inject the
roots with herbicide or something in order to, you know, completely remove the the fragmitees in that area. >> And during the construction, are there certain measures in place for um like erosion control and and all of that?
>> So, erosion, sediment control from it's Dell Atlantic. Now, it's a whole new conservation district. Um but yeah, we'll have to supply those permits and have those measures in place as well. So um any other questions for for Tony?
>> Just that one. >> Will there be lighting associated with this project? So there has been discussions there will be no sight lighting in general but for safety we were talking about possibly having some dark sky or down like a small LED light just on the Ballards so that if
somebody's driving at night they don't crash into a Ballards and um but yeah there's no sight lighting in general. >> Uh the city may there's already gas lamps on First Avenue. The city may extend a couple gas lamps up toward the end of the roadway just to continue the
gas lamps that are already on First Avenue. But that wouldn't be part of that. It may be subsequent to that, but it's not it won't be part of the application with to the D for that because it's not needed for that.
>> So Paul, could you address what the anticipated um next steps or timeline are just so folks have an idea as far as with that? I mean, they're get I think they're getting ready to submit the application to the D and that same timeline, you know, they're going to have I mean,
unfortunately, freshwater well freshwater wetlands don't have a 90-day clock. So, um but we would hope that you probably get this permit by end of summer. >> And from a funding standpoint, um West
Cape May was instrumental in like applying for grants. Y >> bottom line is the vast amount of the the costs associated with this project are going to be covered by way of grants. I mean, we'll have a Kate May will have a financial piece to to pay
regarding permitting and maybe some assoc um >> we'll have some associated landscaping, fencing, and curb curbon sidewalk work on our side as well as afterwards we'll probably be we'll probably put sheros and different traffic markings to get us
out to Beach Avenue similar to on our side. But the bridge itself has been and I believe the the design work as well. I think a lot that was covered by way of uh >> vast majority of it. Yeah. West May got two grants in the amount of almost
$800,000 to cover the the vast majority of the the cost. >> Okay. We really appreciate you >> coming today. Um, does anybody else else have any any questions for Anthony? >> Okay. Thank you very much. Really
appreciate it. >> Nice meeting you all. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, you. >> Thanks a lot. >> Okay. You know where to find >> We're back on old business now. Again, uh planning board, we have no meeting
this evening. uh for new members. We for the for for the longest time we were trying to get on the the planning board some kind of a relationship with the environmental commission and the planning board. And so now I am the liaison to the to the planning board on
this commission but we also every application that is in front of the planning board we get a chance to comment on it. Uh sometimes we uh in addition to like fire fire police and shade tree they all have a a chance
to comment on a project and we usually sometimes we comment all kinds of things that we comment on. Usually it's some kind of native plants or or maybe a lighting project or or something that's that's not quite what we think it should be and we make a
comment about it. I mean, Gretchen usually does these reviews and and I can tell you it's read into the report. Every every every comment that we make is read into the uh application by our engineer and every time he says that he makes a question to
the applicant. Now, do you agree with all these that you will do these things? And they always say yes. As usual, we have to always follow up to make sure that they do it. But, u it's a good thing that we that we have this relationship that we can make these comments on these applications.
Uh, and we have none tonight, but uh, we will in the future. That's my report. Craig, I mean, uh, Steve. Sure. Okay. So, I think the first thing I'd like to address is we have a a lot of new faces
here uh, today and I know there Justine had me mentioned the discussion about we have regular members, we have alternate members, we have associate members, we have all different kinds of members. Um, so I'd like to just talk briefly about
about that. Um, you know, we were we were down um a a couple of members going into this year and our mayor put out um a uh at one of the city council meetings um I think a couple in a row had said if
anybody's interested in enjoying in joining um the environmental commission has an interest in these issues, please reach out to the city and express your interest and we had there was an overwhelming response to uh to joining
the environmental commission. So very grateful for that and um if people are listening to this live stream who applied and um are not on environmental commission um I urge you to keep expressing your interest in either this
commission if there's vacancies or others as well because there are other opportunities in the in the city. Um but when it when it came to uh the environmental commission as I said there were a number of of of folks who
expressed an interest and uh we quickly came to realize that there are um opportunity for regular members of the environmental commission but um there's other the city created a separate
category of members on the environmental commission u which are called associate members or honorary ary members. Um, candidly from my point of view, I don't see a difference between um a a regular
member or an associate member. Um, the only legal distinction that that we have um twofold. One is a regular member would be required to live in Kate May. Um, and a an associate member, there's
not a requirement that in that a the person resides in Kate May. Secondly, if we vote on certain matters, then only regular members can vote on those particular matters. And Mike, I've been on the as the leazison to the commission
for um you know, this year and last and I'm trying to recall the last thing that the commission voted on. So I don't think there's really a as as far as at at the >> we just we just agree to agree, >> right? So So simple as that. >> Yeah. So I guess what I'm saying is I
don't see a distinction. I see everybody here is a member of the environmental commission and has a say and an equal voice in in the issues that come up. So that is that's the um my mindset working with uh with everyone. Um I do want to
touch on um one aspect and Mike you just interestingly enough you talked about being a um a crossover member with the planning board and the environmental commission and as it turns out John Becker is the the chairman of the
historic preservation committee uh commission for for Cape May. So um John's not here by accident. Um there was look we have there are a number of different issues that come up in Kate May. We have different boards. We have
different commissions. We have different committees. Um we are a small town and our issues are not linear. Um there have been conversations that have come up about how can we have better communication and how can we have better
collaboration between our different committees and our different commissions. And I think that those those have been healthy conversations and really good conversations um because it you know that way we can all stay on the same page regarding the
issues that are that need to be addressed in Kate May. Um the environmental commission HPC in particular face issues that not only are common but intertwined. So the discussion had come up as far as having
some crossover representation with HPC and the environmental commission as well. So we've had the we had those conversations. Um and I'm grateful for John's willingness to participate in in the environmental commission as well. Um I think it's u if you follow the work
that's done by the HPC, you know how critical that is to to Kate May. We're all aware of that. And um John is particularly with your background as one as an architect um two as um the work that you've done with HPC and thirdly as
a dedicated you know resident of Cape May on all these issues I think it's it adds quality to to the commission. So in particular, although everybody brings a different set of tools and has a different reason why they were um uh brought on to the environmental
commission, I just want to touch on that because there was a discussion about um an HPC environmental commission crossover and that was part of the impetus for um for for why uh why the work was done
as it was to uh to bring a member of the HPC on to the environmental commission. So, does anybody have any questions about the you know what has uh what I just what I just remarked on? Okay, Rose.
>> Hi. Uh just a comment. Um I am um newly on the taxpayers association. Um and the same discussion is taking place there about crossover and coordination and trying to not only see you know the
ven diagram gray areas but also to address issues that seem to be unrelated but in the end kind of cycle around to uh what what what I would say are quality of life issues in a small
community. So, um, I'm more than willing to also kind of cross that bridge if there is an interest. >> Okay, that's great. >> Any non- voting member feel slated? >> Um, so no.
>> Okay. >> Um, but I do have a request. Um, so the city's website with the membership list no longer includes my name, which is fine, but I don't totally feel
comfortable speaking on behalf of the environmental commission and the city of Kate May in meetings with the climate school if I they can't see like visual confirmation of who I am and what doing.
>> Why is that not Why don't Why isn't that >> If that can be updated, >> that that'll be updated. That'll that'll all be updated. >> I was also thinking about the open house and if people attend and then they're like, "Who is this person?" and they search and they don't see me as a part
of the environmental commission. I'm thinking that might not look good for >> That's going to change for you. It's going to change for everybody on this thing. I mean, I I think it ought to be. I mean I mean >> I mean like Charlotte doesn't even appear on that stuff. I mean Charlotte's name ought to be >> she was removed and so was I.
>> That's not right. >> No no that will be that was if if that was done that was an oversight. So we will make sure that that gets corrected. I I would note I' I've noticed that >> I don't think we're the only commission
that didn't doesn't have our roster 100% correct on there. So, I think that um that's something that we can address by way of David's on it right now, right? >> And Charlotte's got a comment. Go ahead, Charlotte.
>> Yes, thank you. Um, so I I'm hoping that our commission understands what ANJ is, Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. And we have a handbook. And in that handbook, and by the way, we
were established in 1984 by Mayor Bloomist and council for the approval of an anjac center right in the middle of Cape May. And we're joined by hundreds of other environmental commissions in
New Jersey and we're there to protect our surroundings. Our handbook goes on to say that members do not have to live in the city in which they're appointed.
And I think that that should be noted by all members of our commission and by council as well. And if you need to see that, I'd be willing to copy it to you.
Um it's very important um in terms of following through with what's best for all of New Jersey, including Kate May. >> Very good, Sharon. That's fine. I don't
think there's I don't think there's much of a disagreement on this committee on this commission about what uh was brought up before. I don't think I don't think it's going to be a problem at all. I think I think Justine's comments are well well
directed and I think they're going to be positive. We'll see. >> Yeah. And I would say this, look, it was what was done was simply a matter to try to align um as many interests as we can
get on the um on the committee um into into the committee working with the structure that is set forth by state statute. So, we we're um working with uh a structure that we were
it gives us a framework that we can't go outside of, but we were able to supplement. Let's put it that way. >> Very good. All right. Climate school, Justine, now that you're officially part of our group again. >> Am I on or am I off? >> You're on.
>> Um Okay. So there will be a final report for phase two of the first climate school project which was um on water conservation water usage
uh forthcoming at the end of April. The group is divided into four sections but they are actually taking on five projects. There is a proposal. This
group is really concentrating their efforts on uh water usage reduction outreach and public engagement um recommendations. So there will be a
story map um essentially a resident and tourist interaction um kind of map that they will present to us that could be installed throughout the city um perhaps integrated into some of the other maps that we already have um with QR codes
and various signage. They're putting together a message and marketing uh materials package for us that would include social media assets, um PSAs, newspaper designs that we could adopt um to help
educate residents and visitors on um a water conservation ordinance, how we can reduce it, why it's how we can reduce usage, why it's important, etc. They are developing a software um CBA a
um pardon me a costbenefit analysis tool um for both the municipality and for people who live here. Um so it's pretty cool. It's essentially a version of a spreadsheet with um templates entered so
you can add in your usage, add in this, add in that, and then calculate what your bill would be if you changed certain behaviors. Um, and they're doing it at both the municipal level and for the individual account holder. So, I'm
really excited about that. I think people's behavior changes um mostly due to you know sticks and carrots and people care about their pocketbooks and if we want to affect change I think we need to demonstrate to people how they
can ultimately save money by using less water. Um they're also recommending a public art campaign um which is I think really exciting and in line with the personality and public facing character
of Kate May. Um there is uh uh sculpture as well as different murals or installation sites that have been identified. The mayor is particularly excited about the sculpture recommendation.
Um, he has he and I have identified potentially a few sites on Washington Street Mall or in the parks where it may be a great location to have a sculpture that is themed around water conservation.
Um, because it would capture a lot of visitors, right? People who come here and don't know that we have this issue or these ordinances may linger in front of it for a little bit, read the plaque, understand why we need to save water.
The team is also identifying potential artists and grants that would pay for this art. So, um the goal is that it actually isn't going to fall on the shoulders of the city. And then the final component of the phase two of this
project is a plan, a roadmap um for town halls and workshops where the city can engage with uh residents and visitors to explain to them a tiered water pricing system and a rebate system. uh way to
engage them so they feel more involved with the future roll out of these changes. Um and the climate school will be providing dialogue prompts um really like a toolbox that we can use um when
leading these sessions um so that we don't have to start from the beginning and figure out how to um draft everything. So Overall, I'm really really excited about the phase two of this because it feels
as if the deliverables are the the items that we need to actually implement these changes. Um, absolutely. Um, so if anyone has any questions about any of them, >> this climate school,
>> um, the climate school is a branch of Columbia University that worked with the city or it has been for the past 18 or so months. Um this what what I'm speaking about now is phase two of the
first project that they worked on last year um that was themed around water conservation and the desalination plant. >> Okay. >> Um at the end of that project there were four recommendations and one of them was uh community
engagement surrounding water conservation. So this phase two took that um subcommittee's work and now has built upon it to provide us with the tools we need to actually see this to
fruition. >> Thank you. >> They're also doing another project for us as well um that is or it actually phase one just completed but it has um looked at coastline resilience and the
historic architecture of K. >> Just just a comment about water. >> I think we just take it for granted. We turn on that faucet. We turn on that spot. We throw water out. We don't really realize where it's going, what we're doing, what we're not doing. My
two grandsons have been taught since they were little, when you brush your teeth, you turn the water faucet. And they do. So I guess if we can do some more education even to adults because so many people don't even realize how vital and how important it is.
>> Yeah. And and it's a scarce resource here in particular, >> right? >> Yeah. >> I have a question. What's the opportunity to um are are they going to be holding any like stakeholder meetings or
>> how can we provide some input and feedback? So the fifth item that I mentioned were the templates u dialogue templates workshop templates and road mapaps for town hall town halls and and
workshops the stakeholder meetings that we would host. >> So we will be provided with recommendations on talking points how to structure them but ultimately we can edit them as we see fit. um in order to
engage with the stakeholders. So, I had recommended um when the mayor and I met with them last, we had said, you know, convention hall would be a great place. I we think it's probably unlikely to get people to come back more than once. So
maybe just have uh hold the event three times to give people the greatest um like statistical likelihood of being able to make it to one of them and then invite uh invite uh different residents.
Does that answer your >> Yeah, I'm I'm just I'm always like brainstorming. You said something about with the social media messaging and all that. When I was director at the nature center, we would have these quarterly
meetings that we called core. It stood for cultural organization roundt and it was the heads of all the nonprofits in town and we would get together um just basically share what's going on but how can we collaborate on things and even
though like Mac's mission may not be environmental issues um they have a social media following and to get the heads of these groups the the chamber of commerce the different
nonprofits, business, community to really understand about this project and how they can I mean it's easy to put out a social media post and say, you know, we are an eco-friendly community and
this is the one one way, one initiative that we're doing is water conservation. I think, you know, that's going to help it go beyond that's going to attract the visitors to our town that need to know that when they come into town that this
is an an issue that they need to be aware of and part of. It's not just the residents, it's all the visitors. And >> yeah. >> Yeah. >> I I think I mean we can adapt their recommendations however we see fit, but
I I had at least indicated that the priority was to engage with the business owners because of the top 100 water users, >> it's I think there's one residential account. It's all
>> businesses and at big hotels with pools and and restaurants. Um, so we were able to take all of that data, if it's public, put it on a spreadsheet and and sort it. And um in order to have really
the support of those business owners, we need to engage with them and and then also offer recommendations for okay, let's say you're a hotel owner. The water pricing system is changing. How can you help your visitors reduce
their usage to help offset the price? Um, so providing them with tools and a chance to work with us on it. Um, almost as if we're engaging with the visitors via the business owners. >> Does that make sense? >> They're here all the time, the business
owners. Our visitors change every few days. So, um, yeah. And look, what appeals to the business owners more than anything else? The bottom line. So I think both all of the work that has been done has really um provided a lot of
information that really shows why is it not only good for just the for the environment but why is it good for you from your business model as well. Um and I think they've from our discussions you know when with Justine I've gathered
that they really can help us and h have given us the information to get the messaging across. So now we just need to come up with the deliveries the delivery system and get the word out >> and hopefully get buy in. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> So it'll it will really depend on the roll out. >> Um so you know hopefully we can all work together. Um perhaps at some point uh so all of this will be delivered to me at the end of April and perhaps over this
summer we can schedule subcommittee meetings to work together on this outside of our monthly meetings because it I believe would take over our our monthly meeting if we we did that and there will be work that needs to be done
um more regularly. um >> until it's implemented. >> Yeah. >> All righty. We are we do try and keep our meetings to an hour and and Steve, you had any comment you wanted to make? I do. Another project.
>> So, yeah. Um I guess the downside to us not meeting in January and February means that we just Yeah, we're playing a little bit of catchup. Um, so actually Justine, what you just mentioned kind of segus into where I'm what I wanted to discuss is that um, as I'm sure you're
all aware, the city has scheduled a citywide open house. Um, that's scheduled for May 20th from 5 to 7 um, in convention hall. Um the purpose of the the open house is to showcase showcase the different commissions, the
boards and the committees and to give members of those boards and committees an opportunity to interact with the public and residents. Um, and there's people who look, they look on a website, they don't necessarily, they can't put a um, gives a chance to put a face to a
name, and it gives a chance for people to explain their um, their role, us as commission or committee members to the public and actually engage in a dialogue with um, with folks. But it's also an opportunity for each commission, each
committee to showcase initiatives that are important to the each commission or committee and and also to show off any discuss any projects that have been undertaken and being worked on. So there's an there's we've talked about
community outreach. This is one of those opportunities to actually be able to interact with with folks. Um the format of the open house is it's actually going to be a city meeting. Um
it's going to take place as I said at convention hall. There will be an opening message by the mayor and u the city manager. They'll each take a few minutes and after that each commission committee board in turn will have an
opportunity to have a spokesperson from um from that organization give a brief I'll call it mini presentation to uh to the folks in attendance. Um just a couple minutes just saying hey here's what the environmental commission is all
about. Here's what we are working on. Um, I think there was a there was an email thread that was going around recently with uh with the group. Justine, you volunteered to uh to do that mini presentation. Uh, appreciative
of you you doing that. Um, and uh, you know, so doing that for the environmental commission. Um after each of the those mini presentations, there will be breakout sessions, tables set up around
convention hall. Each commission committee board will have a table um manned by a couple of members of of their respective um committees to be able to interact with folks. So the one thing we do need to be mindful of is not
having a quorum at the table because it is actually a city meeting. So if more people show up, look, we just need to regulate amongst ourselves as far as who's who's in attendance at the table and and who's not, which simply means just step away, you know, as long as we
just have a couple folks there. I think it'll probably take care of itself. But it gives a chance for for folks who may not well to folks who would uh may have questions about different city issues but don't want to come to a city council meeting and don't feel comfortable
speaking in front of a large group to have a one-on-one or uh one-on- two conversation with with members of those different uh the different committees. um you know although we're not a as much a decision-making body for for folks as
say HPC is zoning planning shade tree there's not there's not going to be any specific discussions about projects that people want to have come up somebody's like hey I want to talk about my zoning variance to the zoning board that's going to be off limits they can't have those types of discussions about
specific matters but it's an opportunity to have a general discussions about um about the different uh different committees and the commissions. So groups that are going to be represented there are the planning and zoning board, shade tree commission, environmental
commission, HPC, bike and pedestrian commi uh committee, mtrak and the beach safety uh committee as well. So um look, we've never done this before. So we've had some organizational meetings. We're coming together on that. But I would
suggest one of the things that we want to talk about and maybe well think about between now and our next meeting is is what do we what do we as a group want to present if anybody has I think there's some general thoughts climate
school seems to be a great opportunity to to discuss um that the um the desalination water sustainability um results that that came about last year. One of their recommendations is
we've given you the information. Public outreach is a big part of their uh their um their program. This is to me this is fits right into uh one of those opportunities for public outreach. So um but those are those are just my initial
thoughts with that. There's I'm sure there's many other aspects of the environmental commission. we have like we can talk about well people have other there's other other issues other matters but what I would suggest is between now and next um our next meeting we drill
down on some of those those issues so we go into this um having a plan as far as what we want to present um and although the meeting is May 20th I know Casey Ratigan who is organizing this from the
city standpoint point um is trying to get folks on deadlines as far as doing slide presentations related to the mini present mini presentation or any other information that she would need from a u there's a lot of work involved in organizing and and running an event like
this. So the big pieces that from an organizational standpoint um she's taken care of. We have an opportunity to kind of internally drill down though on on those issues. >> Okay. Um, this is dovetail a little bit
about we're gonna 2026 program planning by Dave. Let's just just dovetail that. There was Charlotte had submitted a list here of other things that that we should be trying to do for this coming year. Any suggestion that you have jot it down. We ought we ought to be planning
our year as we go. Our temporary budget we got like $2900. >> How come it's less? >> It's that's temporary. We have it'll probably be what 10 grand more than that maybe or don't know for sure but it'll be it'll be more than that depending on
what the >> what what's going on here. >> It's just temporary money. >> Yeah. It's between >> it's the city >> 30% of what the full budget >> until the city approves the whole budget. We don't have this is just we can work on >> so they can >> but that's why it's kind of important >> as soon as possible kind of decide what
we want to do going forward. That's why I was also asking um Charlotte to kind of discuss ANJack and explain to the new members what it is because there is a fee that goes along with becoming members with that. So, which is all right. Let's let's find uh Charlotte, you want to talk about Anjack then real
quick. >> Um if you all can go online and look up JC and let them know that you're interested in taking some of their orientation
courses. You'll see that you'll be given information and we pay dues to this state organization just as other communities do so that we can have an idea of what's happening environmentally
and all parts of the state and the recommendations given to us by the ANJAC leaders. Um they also publish a booklet which we used to get printed and now it's online. So you may just want to fun through
that. But as I said before there is an orientation um course given for environmental new environmental commission members. So that's just something to think about.
Also in terms of our We have so many opportrass planting Columbia University consultants from the Harborview park consultants for street park nature trail
consultants for harbor restoration project along Delaware um service consultants to the kidney planning board and support. This is coming up too. Support for celebration
for the 2026 event the city will hold. We may want to think about some ways um environmentally that we would want to be involved there too. Um I don't know if Do you want me to talk
about um anything else? >> Let's let's let's postpone it. We have one couple other things we want to talk about. That's Anybody have any questions about the minutes? >> All right. >> Was a long time ago. >> Motion to approve everybody. >> I'll make motion.
>> Okay. Voicemail. And Gretchen, you want to talk quickly about >> just Yeah, really quick. The um National Wildlife Federation has a uh certified community wildlife habitat um that the city of Cape May as part of
the Cape Island communities has that certification. Um we have to reapply every year. I was mistaken. I thought it we had a five-year thing, but that was like the original charter or whatever. But every year we
have to submit a very simple report about the things we're doing in our community. And um I did that in December. It was approved. Um it just we just have to make sure we're keeping track of all the great accomplishments
that we're doing. And and I do have to say one of the ways that we're able to do this is because of the activities being done at the nature center. um you know things like Monarchfest and and the different events there we get bonus
points. So I'm just putting that out there. Um the more ways this commission can collaborate and work with the nature center, it's a good thing. Um so anyway, we have that certification. We do have a
big sign at the nature center when we were first um the the CEO of national wildlife federation came to the recognition ceremony um I forget it was
10 years ago now and the big sign that was given was put on the nature center grounds. It was sort of in a hidden spot and maybe that's not where it needs to be. Maybe I mean the the nature center is off the beaten track for many
visitors. We want people to come to us, but maybe the sign needs to be put another place in town where more people can see it. So that's just >> something that we need to to think about. Um that's it. I just won't won't
belabor that point. But the only other thing that's going to happen before our next meeting is on April 11th is the Clean Ocean Action Beach sweeps. And there's always two sweeps that happen in Kate May. One is on Kate May Harbor um
done by the nature center of Kate May and the other is Second Avenue um by the pavilion where students from lower Kate May Regional High School clean the oceanfront beaches. So, that's 9:00 a.m.
on um April Saturday, April 11th. It's also the day that the city is doing the blessing of the waters ceremony um at um fisherman's memorial at 11:00 a.m. So, that's just something to put on your calendars. And just one other quick
thing is May 2nd is the nature cent's native plant sale. Um volunteers are needed for that event. Um, but that's an opportunity to get the native plants that we all should be planting in in our gardens. So,
>> okay. Can I u piggy back on that really quick? So, we also have a new event coming up on April 24th for Arbor Day. We're planting a liberty tree at Le History Park. That's going to be at 11:00 a.m. So, everybody here is invited to come and partake in that >> liberty tree.
>> Yeah. Yep. >> Which is traditional tree that you plant in your park. back. So, it's a rare trade, which is pretty cool. So, >> nice. >> What time? >> Uh, that's at 11:00 a.m. >> Anybody else have any thing to offer? Good meeting today. Uh,
>> when are we doing Doom Day? >> Yeah, >> that's in the fall. >> Yeah. Is are we making the map or the calendar? We just said program planning on >> Yeah, I was hoping to eventually talk about the programs going forward, but we want to because that's the the main
issue for our next meeting is really no programming. Absolutely. Everything about programming. >> Yeah. >> What are we really focusing on other than the ongoing things like >> the climate project, but >> anybody have anything that they want to talk about? You could probably get it
today. Just you'd send them an email. Okay. Otherwise, you can just bring it up at the next meeting. You >> mentioned a whole bunch of dates and I'm sorry if I miss missed this, but beach cleanup. I think we have the beach cleanup. First one's we April 22nd, Poverty Beach. Is that 3 to 5 3 to 5
o'clock? Do you can you just Yeah. >> For those that may be listening because you need we need to recruit folks. So >> all the people that are listening to the live stream. >> Yes. >> Tell you where to show up. >> The cleans community tow. So we'll have a monthly um beach cleanup. So first one's going to be um April 22nd, which
is Earth Day at Poverty Beach. And the AB will go out soon to the public of all the other days going forward in all the different beach locations too. So hopefully that'll be maybe early next week. that go out. So, >> a lot of dates in this last five minutes. >> Mhm. >> Yep.
>> Anybody else have anything you want to say? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> I'll make a motion. >> All righty. Mic's off. >> Thank you.