Reorganization [clears throat] meeting of the Lake Mayor Council to order. Please rise for a salute to the flag and a moment of silent reflection. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Please remain standing for a moment of silent reflection. While you do, please keep in your thoughts the uh family of Eugene Kavanaaugh senior, a Lake resident, uh Belmar volunteer fireman
who um died this past January 1st. Thank you. >> Sunshine Law, please. [clears throat] This meeting has been provided by the adoption of a resolution by the Bay Council on the 7th day of January 2025 in which resolution is in place of agend.
>> Thank you. Before we do roll call, we will admit there our oaths of office for our two victors in the last election that have been certified by the burrow clerk and Mammoth County clerk. Um those oaths of office will go to Councilwoman Holly Skull uh first and then Councilman
Andrew Reiner. So Holly, if you want to join me down front with my family, you want to give me your It's going to take a tree to hold the Bible. >> Actually, you know what? >> So, you raise your right hand and repeat
after me. I, Holy Skull, do solemnly swear >> I, Holy Skull, do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.
>> And I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the government established in the United States. and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. >> And that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially
>> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of the position of councilwoman >> of the position of councilwoman >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. [applause]
How you doing? Good. >> You think you done? >> We'll take one. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> All right, Mr. Riners. Don't press down too hard. >> Okay, repeat after me. I, Andrew Riners,
>> I, Andrew Rhiners, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same
>> and to the governments established >> to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> and I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties of the position of
councilman >> all the duties of the position of councilman >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability >> so help me God >> congratulations [applause] You want to get in the picture? Good job. >> Yep.
>> We got one more. >> They call that flanking. >> Flanking. Can we do one with um >> Sure. >> Like I'll council either after or >> you want to do that right now. You're right. [clears throat] >> Do you want to wait or do you want to do
it? [laughter] >> Everybody down. >> Will you take this picture? >> Yeah. >> I like how you said you're the picture taker because you know >> right ab Great.
>> I'm sorry. Thanks everybody. >> Yep. >> Um you know what? It's okay. >> Yeah. We don't have to do that tonight. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Scott, >> here. [clears throat]
>> Councilman Dano, >> here. >> Councilman Demoro is not here tonight. Councilman >> here. >> Councilwoman Alvado here. Councilman Riners >> here. >> Thank you. At this time, I will take a motion for uh a new council president.
>> I would like to nominate Councilwoman Skull to the position of council president. >> Would anybody like to second? >> Second. >> Second. [clears throat] >> Roll call, please. >> Counciloman Scott. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Vry. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Alvado. >> Absolutely. >> Councilman Riners. >> Yes. Congratulations. [applause] Um, at this time I will, um,
talk about council assignments. Um, mostly everything is going to stay the same as it did last year. Um, I will elevate I will move uh Councilman Danto to the finance committee because he's very good with numbers um to fill
council president former council president Witty's spot. Uh and then uh Mr. Riners will take on the chair of the public public works committee and um that's really all of the changes that we have. I will share those um with
you. Um, as of right now, the emergency services committee will be chaired by Mr. uh, Councilman Demoro. Um, although we have some news about Councilman Demoro coming up. Uh, alternate Chris Danuano. Public works committee be chaired by Mr. Riners and alternate by
Mr. Matrice. Finance will be chaired by Mr. Dantoano and alternate with Mr. Riners. Uh, the BE and recreation will be chaired by uh, Councilwoman Skull. Uh, the alternate right now is Mr. Demorro. Councilman Demoro. Tourism Committee will be chaired by
Councilwoman Alvalad Doyle and alternate Councilwoman Skull. The environmental commission will be chaired by Councilman Ventrice. And the alternate will be Councilwoman Albalad Doyle. The planning board liaison from the council will be Mr. Riner. So he will remain with the
planning board as the liaison from the council. Our SMRA rep will be Kevin Lynch. Our community development block grant will be um Councilwoman Abalad Doyle and our parade committee chair uh our parade committee ladies will be Mike
Rystar for a second. Um, at this time we have one letter from Councilman Nick Demora. Um, to the council, can [snorts] you read that for us? >> There's actually two letters. Did you want me to read both of them?
>> Um, just >> you can read the the shortest. >> Thank you. [laughter] >> It's a letter from Councilman Nick Demoro dated January 5th, 2026. Mayor Higgins, council members, management, and residents of Lake sadness that I
submit my resignation as the councilman of Lake Ko effective January 5th, 2006 or 2026. Honored and privileged would be an understatement. The past nine years of service as a member of the planning board and council have been fantastic. Best of luck and keep doing great things
and find Nick Demoral. >> Uh thank you. I know this was something that he's been wrestling with for for a little while now. Um, with his resignation, the Democratic Committee in Lake Ko has 20 days to uh 15 days. Thank
you, Mike. 15 days uh to uh provide the council with three names to fill his spot. And then the council will then vote on which one of those three names that they wish to appoint to his spot. And then Nick was actually up for
re-election next year, so they would just fold right into the [clears throat] election cycle. Um, so we should have names. Um, the Democratic committee should have names by the next meeting. >> Okay, we will move on to reports of committee. Uh, Mr. Riners, I don't know
if you have anything that you would like to share. >> All matters are in order. >> Okay. [laughter] Uh, Councilwoman Abala Doyle. >> Thank you, Mayor. All matters are in order. >> Thank you, Councilman Matrice. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh the uh regular and reorganization environmental commission
meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, January 15th has been cancelled but rescheduled for Thursday, January 22nd at 6:30 here. Otherwise, all matters are in order. >> Very much.
Um Councilman Dan. >> Thank you, Mayor. All matters are order. >> Council President Skull. >> Um thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to thank the mayor and council for nominating me for council president. Um I'm excited for this new role. Um and other than that, all matters are in
order. >> Thank you very much. Um I would just like to again congratulate Councilwoman Skull and Councilman Riners for their appointment tonight. Congratulations to Holly. Uh well-deserved position as the council president. There's a couple of things that I would like to talk about
real quick. Um, I was [clears throat] notified today that Spring Lake will begin their dredging of the head of Lake Ko next week, next >> starting on Monday. >> Starting on Monday. Um, so you will see some heavy equipment out there. They
will be moving a lot of dirt out of that uh area of the lake itself near Spring Lake towards Main Street. Um, so they will be there for a little time. There may be some disruption to uh to that area. So please just be advised of that.
Um and then next meeting I will bring uh a list of goals that we'll be working on uh as a bureau for the upcoming year. Other than that all matters are >> so at this time we have no unfinished
business. I would take a motion to open for public comments. >> So move second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Um, anyone wishing to speak? Um, Jeff, can you do me a huge favor? Can you grab that mic and bring it back to the front
of the I appreciate it. Thank god you're here. Um, anyone from the [clears throat] public wishing to speak on any matters that are listed under the consent agenda or new business can come to the mic and do so now.
See none, I'll take a motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Um, at this uh at this time I'll take a motion to pass the uh to move the consent agenda which includes the resolutions for professional
appointments for next year. Please note that this includes appointments to the newly formed uh shade tree commission. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Council member Scott. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Ventrice. >> Yes. >> Always. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Under new business, we have resolution 2026-29. This is offered by Councilman Danto. >> Thank you, Mayor Soulford. Resolution 2026-29, a resolution authorizing
execution of an agreement with county SPCA. be resolved by the mayor and council of the buro that the bur cler administrator is hereby authorized to execute an agreement with county spca control services along with the traffic and release option for a one-year term
beginning January 1st 2026 ending December 31st >> thank you second >> second roll call please >> yes >> yes >> yes >> yes writer
>> yes thank you resolution Resolution 2026-34 offered by Councilman Ventrice. >> Thank you. So offer [clears throat] resolution 2026-34 authorizing adoption of the burough's personnel policies and procedures manual. Whereas the bureau has
determined that amendments and updates are needed to incorporate recent changes in state and federal law as well as updates required by the municipal municipal excess liability joint insurance fund and the adoption and distribution of a revised personnel policies and procedures manual and
further revised personnel policies and procedures manual will protect the interest and rights of both the bureau and its employees. And the bureau has made uh these amendments and updates. Um and the revised personnel uh policies
and procedures manual will be distributed uh be resolved by the mayor and council boro and the that the revised personnel policies and procedures manual are adopted and uh will be distributed to all employees as applicable and the burough administrator
andor human resources manager are authorized to undertake such acts as are reasonable and necessary to accomplish the purpose of this resolution. >> So I just want to Before I ask for a second, I want to be specific. Uh each council member, you have the uh the
updated policies and procedures in your file. Um there are three specific changes that were made by our labor attorney. Um and there I can give you those specific changes. Now on page six, letter B, the
Americans with Disabilities Act was updated for new ADA law language. page 23B. Um there was a change in personnel sick leave. This was the change was that uh previously employees had to notify the
employee the employer after 5 days with a doctor's note. That was changed to 3 days before a doctor's note is due. And then again on page 25 letter E there is a change from for bereavement leave it was changed from three calendar days to
three non-consecutive days. So those were the three changes that were made specifically. Um and uh that was reviewed by the labor attorney and notion of changing the law [clears throat] suggested by the labor attorney I believe. >> Yes, >> mayor. Um, if it says three
non-consecutive, what if the person wants to take three consecutive? >> They they can >> doesn't say that >> they can take three consecutive. It it it allows it allows for the option to take non-consecutive as well. >> Okay. >> Uh, any questions on it? Have a second.
>> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Skull. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. to move. >> Yes. >> Yes. Thank you. >> All right. At this time. Uh that concludes our new business. At
this time, I'll take a motion to open for public comments. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. All right. At this time, anyone wishing to um address the mayor and council can come to the mic and do so now. We just need your name and address
um if you wish to do that. [clears throat] >> Uh I'd like to ask >> just your name and address, sir. >> Oh, 1810 Bernwood Road. Jack Dilva. >> Thank you. >> Angela Dilva. We live on Fernwood and
I'm looking to ask you that you're doing a lot of work on Fernwood this year. I would love to see Fernwood go one way just like the rest of Lakewood is one way. There's not enough room for two cars. We'll gain more parking. We'll get
about eight spots, which is a big problem on Fernwood because there's a lot of Airbnbs on Firmwood and there's a lot of rentals on Fwood. So, you know, these massive homes that are growing up, you know, two bedrooms, three bedrooms,
four bedrooms, four cars, and the school parks would charter school. >> Okay. And I think it's a great idea because you're only going to have one stop sign. So, you're going to pick up a lot of spots because you're only going
towards the lake. Just like every other street goes towards the lake, even your block. We're on a dead end. So, we can only go towards the lake. [laughter] >> So, um like and then on that turn, you know, Ferwood has a turn. It's a blind
turn and it's very dangerous. And when landscaper trucks come down that street or, you know, they take up the whole road, if you know, slow down a collision with a landscape truck or a big truck. So if everybody goes out to the lake,
you pick up all those spots, too, because you don't need to worry about somebody coming because you it's not so do not enter. So I was looking to see how we can have this happen. Do I need more people? Do I need to get out there
and you know? >> So more people is always a good thing. [clears throat] Um there's a process that we go through really. Uh this question comes up every year about a different street, right? Um, we we haven't really talked about Fernwood a lot as being a oneway. Talked about a
lot of other streets being one ways and sometimes we do it during the summer. Sometimes we remove parking to to make it safe for people to travel down streets um for emergency vehicles and such that it's a cut through. >> So, Yep. So, uh reach
>> from down Fwood to go to 18. Yep. >> To beat that >> left right turn to the traffic light. >> Yeah. So uh the process that we go through really is that we refer we first we refer to our engineer um because most
everything we do in town when we discuss it as a council if we discuss it as a council during a workshop we like to get the input of our professionals too not kind of just >> we want it to be a oneway so we're going to change it way >> so um that would be that would really be
the next step um it's definitely a topic of conversation that we can have we have these conversations a lot about different streets so we can >> before you do the work on it. I know it's going to get all new curves. >> Yeah, I can tell you it's probably not going to happen that fast.
>> Changing like April, May. >> Yeah, changing it to a oneway is probably not going to happen that fast. >> Um God, why? >> Well, it takes a lot of input. It takes a lot of discussion. It's not like we're going to come back in February and be like, "Hey, we're going to change this street to a oneway." And then in March have 40 residents come back and complain
that it's a oneway and then change it back. involved. >> So that's the other part of the that's the other part of the process too and that process doesn't take one meeting or one month. So it's going to take a few days. >> So you don't think we will have enough time before you start the work?
>> I don't think we would have enough time before we start the work. Um I think we can definitely have a conversation about it before and while the work is going on. That's not a guarantee that it would change to a one way too. You know what I mean? So, it's definitely part of the
conversation that we can have before and while the work is going on and if we want to make the change as a town, we can do so. I don't think the work is really going to make that big of a difference. >> If you're going to put lines and you're going to do everything >> so we're not putting lines. We wouldn't be putting any lines down right away
anyway. So, we have we have a little bit of time. >> It's a matter of stop signs and do not enter. >> Yep. We have a little bit we have a little bit of time. Uh but it's definitely a conversation we can have while the work is going. How do you want what do you want me to do? I mean, you want me to keep coming to the meetings or >> you can you can have conversations with
your neighbors and see if they have a strong feeling one way or the other. >> I've talked to a lot of neighbors >> and I would invite them to either come here, reach out to me or any council member on um uh via email. Um I also
have, you know, I still do coffee with the mayor. They can come on the third Saturday of the month and give me their opinion there as well. Um, I'm not going to throw anybody anybody under the bus, but I think there's a councilman that actually lives on your street that they they may take input as well.
>> So, so that's also a possibility as well. >> George lives on my street. He's on the zoning board. >> Yes, he does. [clears throat] >> So, yeah, those are definitely good conversations. >> And he has a child. He has a young child. People fly down.
>> You have no idea. >> They they do a shortcut from the beach. Yeah. >> Well, I know when they're coming up when they're coming up 18th and the light turns red, they're going to make a quick left and go down Furwood instead of waiting at the left. I know, >> right? >> Yep.
>> All right. >> All right. I appreciate you coming by. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> See you guys. >> Anyone else? Seeing none, I'll take a motion to close. >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Next meeting. The next regular meeting of the council will be
held on Tuesday, January 20th at 7:30 p.m. meeting. All meetings are open to the public. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I thank you for coming out.