like to call the meeting to order, please. Johanna, will you read the statement of compliance? >> The notice requirements of the open public meeting act for this meeting have been satisfied. A copy of the annual meeting notice was sent to the press of
Atlantic City Carrier Post, posted on the Bolton board in the municipal building, the municipal website, and filed in the office of the municipal clerk. Please turn off all cell phones. >> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance.
>> Attention salute. I pledge algiance 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. >> Johanna, please take the role.
>> Mayor Collins >> here. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> I am here. >> Commissioner Horn, >> here. >> Welcome everybody. I just want to wish everybody a happy new year and say it's good to be back here after uh I was unable to attend the last several
meetings, but I really appreciate everybody that reached out and uh um you know supported me through that and um ready to make 20 26 better than 2025. So um busy meeting today. We're going to start off honoring uh our retired
municipal court uh administrator Moren Lin. So, I'm going to hand it off to uh Commissioner Horn and Assemblywoman Swift and Assemblyman Guardian as well. Okay, I'm gonna start. Okay, so we'd
like to give you this proclamation since you've been here forever. >> 100 years, right? So whereas Moren began her distinguished career in public service in Margate City in 1989 as a violations clerk,
marking the start of more than three decades of dedicated municipal court service. Whereas Marie's professionalism and leadership quickly earned her advanced advancement to deputy court administrator in 1993
and later that same year she was appointed to court administrator, a role in which she excelled. And whereas Meen further demonstrated her commitment to excellence by becoming a certified court administrator in 1999,
meeting the highest standards of her profession. And whereas Meereen has served with distinction in numerous leadership roles, including president of the Atlanta County Court Administrators Association
from 1998 to 2000, president of the South Jersey Court Administrators Association from 1998 to 2000, and president of the Municipal Court Administration Association of New Jersey from 2007 to
2009. And now, therefore, it be proclaimed that Marine Lin is hereby recognized and honored for her exceptional career in her leadership within the municipal court system and her unwavering
dedication to the communities she has served. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and board of commissioners do hereby proclaim Thursday, January 8th, 2026 as Marine Lin Day.
Thank you. >> Congratulations. I agree. >> Okay. So, we have here um a state resolution. It's a little bit bigger than a proclamation and it's from Senator Vince Palina who was just here from Assemblyman Don Guardian and myself
and basically it says all the great things that you have done in your 30 plus years as the Margate Municipal Court Clerk and I want you to hold this. Um people in the state of New Jersey asked me they said how come we have such a great court? You've got a great judge. You've got a great prosecutor. You've
got a great public defender. My brother Joe Swift. But I tell them it's because we have a great court clerk and a great court staff. We've got Deanna here. Um you are so, you know, professional to all the attorneys, to all the pros and that really makes a big difference. So
I'm very proud to say that Margate is my hometown and uh we have the best municipal court in the state of New Jersey and everybody does talk about that. So just wanted to say congratulations. We're proud of you. >> And it's going to continue with Diana and Kier. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. And with our public defender.
>> That's right. All right, congratulations. >> Thank you very much. We appreciate that. >> So, thank you. >> Y >> Yeah, sure. >> See how quickly she threw that mark on the side. >> Let's move there. >> I don't want to drop it.
>> All the people watching come and see. >> Okay. >> Tell us where to go, Mayor. >> Yeah, let's just go right up there. family. >> Thank you. Thank you. Much better. Thank you very much. I do appreciate it.
It's flown by, but I I'm looking forward to the next and I work with wonderful people here and some of them still here today the day. Everybody said the same thing. You'll miss the people and I'm sure I will. The only thing I won't miss, Matt, is that that 2:00 3:00 phone call from the Margate Police Department
saying, you know, they need an RO or they need a warrant or whatever. But every other than that, I'm enjoying my time and I I appreciate it. I thank everybody. Thank you. >> How's that feel? Appreciate that. >> Thank you.
>> All right. Sure. >> Congratulations. All right. So, we will we will now proceed with a budget discussion. I would like to welcome Leon Castello. As promised, Leon's going to give us some important financial information uh
to to try to uh key everybody in on our capital expenditures and bonding. system here. You have to hit this. >> Yeah. >> I don't see a green. >> I don't know. >> Okay.
Okay. Thank you. So, what I'd like to do is go over the process for your capital plan, how you borrow the money, how you pay the money off, etc., etc. I've done this before, but it's always good for a refresher because this is something that
>> Oops. Yeah. Okay. >> So, what we'll do is we'll start from the beginning where you come up with this individual Yes, I did. I did. I'd welcome Leon. You want to give a little background, Leon?
>> So, my name is Leon Costello. I'm the uh managing partner, audit partner at Ford Scott. This is my 52nd year doing this. So, I've had quite a bit of experience in the audit field and these kind of uh presentations.
The purpose of tonight was to show how you uh develop a capital plan, what it means to your budget when the time comes to fund it and how we fund it and the process that we go through uh every single time on on this. So step number
one is you meet with the engineer and you determine what you want to do and come up with a list of projects um along with your departments for uh equipment needs etc. and you prioritize what you want to do. You you just did an ordinance not too long ago, right? Or is
tonight for the adoption? >> Uh, we did in December. >> In December. Okay. That's what I thought. So, you have an ordinance that's in place right now and we don't borrow the money the day you do the ordinance. The CFO will borrow the money as needed. So, if you do a $10 million
ordinance, you might only need $2 million in the first half of this year. So, you'd only take a bond anticipation note out for the $2 million. What that means is that that note comes due one year later. And when that note comes due, you'll pay interest only on it. And
as you do more borrowings, you tie them all together, always come due the same time. So when it comes time to sell bonds and permanently fund it, then they'll all be lined up on the same date. So it's going to be easy to uh do the bond sale. So if you did a a and we
just had note sale yesterday was 3%. So 3% on $10 million would be, you know, the amount that you would need only for the interest in the first year. So if you borrowed money, we'll say on uh let's say March 1st for part of that
ordinance, it would come due March 1st or the following year. And the following year, you'd pay the interest on whatever you borrowed and nothing else, just the interest. We don't do a bond sale every time we have a bond ordinance because a bond sale is relatively expensive to do.
So we do these notes, accumulate a bunch of notes together and then we do a bond sale for the whole package that we have that we've accumulated. There's two reasons for that. One, the expense of doing a bond sale all the time and two is we need to fit ordinance uh bond sales in when one matures. So we're
constantly having a maturity come off and put a new or a new issue on so that we try and keep the debt service somewhat level. The commitment here has been um do less than a one cent increase for all capital in each budget. And
that's what I'm going to show you how that works in a minute. The thing is is that you cannot let capital uh cease. It's very tempting to say, okay, when we pay off all this debt, we're not going to do anything else. That's not the way that it should work
because this town, the one that I live in, Ocean City, are very, very proactive on capital, you know, and you want to keep all your infrastructure up to date. If you let it go down, it's hard to get it back. It's very expensive when it comes time to get it back. So, if you're
doing roads every year, every year, you know, you're going to have a road project. Every year you might have some drainage projects, um, dredging, all this stuff is always going to happen. If you say, "All right, we're not going to do anything." Well, we're not going to do anything next year. Then what happens in year three? Get slammed with this giant amount of work that you need to do if you want to keep your town looking
good, which Morgate does. You know, you always want to keep your town looking good and you've been very successful at it. So, the the goal is how do we make that work in the budget? And what I'll show you is this keeps timing out on me.
That is coming up very good. Okay. So, let's see. We want more gate test service. Where'd that go? Okay, one second. There we go. So, what happens is that we have let's
go back to this is all the debt you have out oops all the debt you have outstanding right now. And you can see there's an issue from 17 uh 15 um the 24 and 19. They're the outstanding issues that you have. You can see that every
couple years one of them falls off and we're approaching that period again in 2028 and is going to fall off. So we're going to have ordinances in 25 26 27 and we'll sell all those ordinances in bond sale in 28. And when we sell that bond
sale, all that stuff will get permanently funded. We have a maturity schedule that we have to pay back the bond holders for the schedule. Looks like >> I just say the amount of debt. >> No, many people can't people are
listening. Okay. >> They can't see. >> Oh, okay. So, for example, here's a a projected October 1st to 28 sale for $28 million.
I doubt that you're going to have a sale that big. If I put this one in here, and I have the two more sales coming after that to show you what the impact is. Right now, you probably have maybe close to 10 million that you need to borrow in this sale that we're going to have in
2028. We'll be doing notes in between and those notes will look like this. These are the notes. So in 2026 we'll have $200,000 worth of payments
approximately for interest on notes. then uh 400,2750,28 and then we switch over and we'll sell that bond and we'll have permanent payments come on after that. We're trying to keep the debt service within 1 cent every year
which is what the object was. You can see these are the tax rate increases out here which none of them are over 1 cent on our projection so far. So, we build in a $28 million sale, a $16 million sale, and a $20 million sale. We're $64
million worth of stuff between now and 2031. And again, these are maximums. Always put in there what the limit could be that you could do. You probably won't hit any of these benchmarks. I mean, who knows? We never know what's going to happen um with a short community and
storms and stuff like that. But as projected, this will cover you for the next 5 years on what's going to happen for debt service. And we always want to keep the taxpayers in mind and not have a spike. We could let that this issue
fall off that we had over here and say, you know what, we're going to save all this money. We're not going to do anything. Well, that's you're going to have a tax line looks like this and then like that. And that's the worst thing you want to see. We want that all
the way across. You you you know that you're going to have the need for capital projects. I know you want to keep your town in great shape because it always has been. And to do that, you ask me to say, "How can we do that? What what should we do? How should we plan
this? And what's going to be the impact of what we plan on doing?" And we've met several times that we did this two years ago, I think, here in this room. and we're in the same exact position we were back then. Nothing's changed. He just approved a school funding um last month
for practically the same thing. And there's their picture was right underneath here. This is again notes converting into a bond and something will happen between now and when we get out to that period of time because there'll be a need that we don't know about right now. So in 5 years there's
going to be another sale that we're not sure how much it'll be, but there's definitely plenty of room for that. um you approve that, it's all set to go and that has very minimal minimal impact to the taxpayers for sure. This does not have much of an impact. If you look at
these numbers that that number I got got on that screen right now, if we go to the the maturity schedule and just to show you how flexible this can be and I'm saying
right now 28 million at 3.3%. Right now we're not we're not at 3.3%. We're under on all the recent sales, but let's just say we did 22 million instead. Now that dropped that way down to 1 million8 for that first year
because we may be in that position to only do that much and then then our impact is tax decrease by a little tiny bit but we want to keep that momentum building. So we have no real increase at all in the change from year
to year by doing that. We I think you know you're always going to do capital stuff and again it's shortsighted if you don't the what has to be done is how can we do it with no pain to the taxpayers and this is what we're trying to accomplish. I I can tell between here
and Ocean City they've done probably $350 million in the last 12 years worth of stuff and basically have picture looks just like yours. They committed 10 years ago to have a 1 cent tax increase for debt service, roads, drainage. It just doesn't stop on these islands. And
equipment of course is always, you know, wearing out. You need new equipment. Um, so that's an overall concept. Remember, you do the ordinance like it did last year. We have no cost in the 26 budget for that at all. Zero. Because we never
did anything with it. We'll have some in 27, 28, and then this will convert into a permanent funding. So the we always plan that out and the CFO will never borrow the whole amount of the ordinance because the for one is a law that says if you borrow all the money and you don't spend it, you got to pay the
interest that you're in the IRS. So we don't want to do that. So you have to borrow the money as you spend it and then accumulate it into one big lump bond sale when the time comes to sell it. And also another thing is that we have always maximized.
We mean more gain not me. Um this maturity is only 12 years. We could probably go 18 20 22 years on this. Make these payments smaller, but we're going to pay a lot more interest if we do that. So we we got the luxury of doing
this accelerated payoffs and because we can because things are always falling off and that's the way they're structured that something's going to always be falling off someplace. You can see there's like two three four year gaps all all over in your issues that are outstanding. So they they they kind
of call this in other towns Leon's waterfall. You know just they fall off and another one comes on off another one comes on. So you kind of keep the thing rolling. taxpayers don't feel it. They know that if they pay a half a cent on a
million dollar property, it's $50. And their property value probably increased 200,000 last year. So, that's a pretty good swap. And the towns that do this are the ones that have increasing ratables. The um a great sale market
because your property's always worth more every year. And that's because the city looks good. Everything's in good shape. So that's a quick overview. Probably too fast, but that's uh the uh what it looks like to open to any questions or
anything that you want. >> Yes. So, I just would like to make a couple comments because at the December meeting, this was a a point that came up and and Leon touched it on it, but I kind of want to emphasize it that um it was it was brought up that we had a bond sale of $25 million in 24 and now we're
we have a capital ordinance for another 8 to 10 million or whatever it was and it was it just seems like a lot, but as as Leon discussed, >> uh the bond sale for 25 million was years of accumulated uh ordinances that we finally that we we'd finally sell.
So, um, so it may be it may be hard to understand until until you get that explanation just to know that it wasn't that in 2024 we spent $25 million on capital projects. That was the accumulation of three or four years uh potentially of of capital projects >> by design.
>> Yes. >> Mhm. And then one other clarification and uh people may notice that we do more than one bond ordinance a year and uh it's because as Leon said you don't we're not spending the money immediately. So it's really important if we have projects that aren't going to
start till the fall. It doesn't make sense for us to do an bond ordinance now and we're just sitting on that money. it would make more sense to do multiple bond ordinances throughout the year um as the projects uh come closer to when they would begin as opposed to just having them having them sit there
because you do pay those um bond anticipation notes and and all that uh as we move forward. >> And that's one of the things I tell every governing body and it's it's hard to get that across because they get this list that you give them of all the stuff that you need to do and uh but none of
it's going to start for a year and a half, two years. You can do an ordinance every month. There's nothing preventing you from doing an ordinance. So I say get four projects that you're going to do that you're going to do right away. Put them in an ordinance. Get it going. Get it moving. In 3 months you do another ordinance for a couple more things. It doesn't m matter. What
matters is when we borrow the money. One year later we'll have an interest payment on it. Probably 3 years later we'll start paying off the the premium uh the principles and have a maturity schedule. So it's best to know here are the projects what we're definitely going
to do. put them in an ordinance and April come back with some more. Here's what we're going to do. Put them in an ordinance and away you go. Too many times they'll do an ordinance for 10 projects and never get to six of them because something happened that you know
for whatever reason and the price is no good anymore. You know, so it's very b keep it current. Do what you need to do. Come back again a couple months and do some more. As long as you don't do more than $28 million in the next two years, we're okay. Right. And and to that
point, we have our capital meetings and you know, all of our department heads discuss the needs within their department. Uh we get feedback from residents all the time that you know, especially with our road program. Hey, take a look at my street. I think it needs attention. Um and we basically
brainstorm and have to prioritize to fall within the budget that, you know, Leon tells us is acceptable. Um you know, within within that range. So, >> right, I give you parameters. I don't care what you spend it on. Doesn't make any difference to me. It's your choice, but I show you what you can do,
>> right? >> So, >> yeah. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, anything? >> Oh, good. Thank you. >> Anyone have uh anyone from the public like to ask Leon a question >> regarding capital? Do you want to? >> If you can,
>> Mr. Narov, if you can just come up to the microphone, please. All I All I'd like them to do is >> the only question I have is can you post this on the website? >> Which website? Your the city's website. >> City website. So we can pull it down. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> No problem.
>> Great. >> Thank you. >> All right, Leon. Thank you. Really appreciate you coming tonight. >> Yep. >> All right. I would now like to ask Rich Tolson, our chairman of our citizens advisory committee to step forward. He's going to give his annual report.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, commissioners, distinguished panel in front of me. This will be the annual report of the Margate Citizens Advisory Committee. I submit this year-end report on behalf of the Citizens Advisory Board. I would first like to thank Brian Duffy and
Gerard Rosenberger for their two years of dedication to this board and the city of Margate. I would also like to thank Cindy Pittz for serving as board secretary secretary during these first two years. Although Cindy remains on the board, she has turned over the duties of
secretary to one of our new members, Tanya Jacabini. Tanya is joined on the board by Shane Kineski and Calvin Tesla. The remaining members are vice chair Gretchen Reed who is where with us tonight, Steve Alman, who is with us always,
Christine Eden, and Jan Weber. During 2025, the board continued to meet once a month as prescribed by our bylaws. The following are the issues we identified as important to the community through our outreach. We communicated these issues to you and I shared them with the
commissioners this morning via email. Things discussed were the Washington Avenue reconfiguration, dredging of the bay, the city website and public relations, preparation for the master plan, commercial district parking, the
city newsletter which I happen to receive electronically today. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Improved outreach by this board, traffic control, stop signs, parking too close to corners, flashing stop signs, speed humps. These are all things that were discussed and brought
to our attention throughout the community. We were involved in construction issues and the improvement of the construction in the community. Clean sites, hours of work, dumpsters, and parking. And one last one was the potential use of a trolley or another
means of transportation for the summer months. In an effort to help provide solutions to these issues and others and provide feedback to Margate's residents, we have had many department heads throughout the year at our meetings. under the direction of Mayor Collins and
the commissioners, police chief Hankinson, Roger McLaren, BA Pat Moran, and Thomas Shiles, who provided who offered an excellent presentation for our board. We have been provided with valuable insight to communicate to our neighbors
to communicate to our neighbors. In addition, I want to recognize board member Steve Alman for his continued efforts engaging with the general public. Steve is set up at the library and other venues to inform and talk to people about the issues they are facing
and what is important to them. In 2026, our priority our priorities will be the following. Improved outreach to the community through social media, newsletters, public forums, and any other methods suggested or developed.
focus on the master plan and any and all issues presented to us by the commissioners for us to study. Finally, I feel it necessary to state the obvious to everyone in the community. The three commissioners, administrators, department heads, and
everyone making decision in this wonderful but very small community need to figure out how to better work together. Margate is 1 and a half miles long with about 5,000 yearround residents. It should not be this contentious to
manage. There has been far too much negative press regardless regardless of the possible lack of journalistic integrity of the source for a community of this size. Egos aside,
disappointments aside, we all need to rise above and come together. I along with the other members of the board are honored to serve in the capacity you have entrusted us with. The public's trust is a service never to be taken
lightly. Thank you. And I would entertain any questions if you'd like. >> Thank you, Rich. So, no question uh but just a comment. I I just want to, you know, thank you for your service. It's been a pleasure working with you and to continue to work with you and and the
members. Um, just so the public knows, we as as Rich said, we do attend meetings. Uh, we encourage any other, you know, department heads at their time or if, you know, we encourage the committee itself to request the department head as well if there's a certain issue that we think they can
they can address. And, you know, as Rich said, probably nobody's better than Steve at the community outreach part of of uh the tasks of the committee. Uh but I do encourage everybody, you know, obviously if you see see a member and and you want to ask them a question or
get involved, please do so. Um they do have, you know, access on our website with contact information. Um so if you have any questions or want to um to ask them any questions, please please reach out. Uh they're a valuable resource to us and you know, we hope to continue that relationship.
>> Thank you. Thank you. All right. So, now we will move to our engineering report. JJ, >> good afternoon, mayor, commissioners. Um, first thing we'll start off um the dredging permit. Um the D, they um made
the administrative corrections to the permit. We've now submitted it to Tidelands um because they need a temporary Tideland's license for for doing the dredging. We haven't heard back yet. And we're going to be working on an administrative process for residents who
want to come in under the city's permit to dredge their slips. So, we'll get that, you know, done in the near future. On the uh Salt Marsh Shelter Island, um Stockton's not going to be able to begin
working on their permitting piece until um later in the spring. Uh basically I think it just it ended up that way with their schedule and when they got uh you know approved on uh being able to go forward um the pump
station at um Amherst Avenue, we got the uh approval from Green Acres for the diversion. So we're started on the uh actual design of that station. Um public works building. We did held a a public information uh meeting um last month and
we want to just have one final sit down with the with the city to make sure whatever changes um you guys want will incorporate in those final drawings. Um then Rob in the parking lot I think
um we didn't get any bids. I know um Ed said he wanted to sit down and discuss that with you, you know, to see where we're going in the future. Um 2025 road program, that award of the contract is
on the um commission agenda tonight. Um we had some storm water mapping um from the from the MS4 um project that D wanted to revisions that has been um revised and submitted
to the D. Um we to do a watershed improvement plan. That draft plan was submitted to the D review prior to their January 1st deadline. um
our lead service line out additional public outreach. Um we had um met with the um city I believe it was last or this week. Go over that. I know there's some um information that's going to be provided. You'll be um you know doing a
video message and and that kind of stuff in the future for that. Um Boom Pavilion deck renovations. We're currently in the process of um preparing the plans and specs for that. Um we have a couple of
pending grant applications. Um we did get the um fiscal 2026 municipal aid grant for reconstruction of Winchester Avenue from Brunswick to Belmont. Um
in our construction projects, we've added one to the close out. We're uh closing out the uh reconstruction of the 300 and 400 blocks of Thermal Avenue. Um on the 2023 road program, we had an issue with uh gas being being placed on
top of a sanitary sewer main on Fredericksburg. So the gas company um should be completed with that work tomorrow. It's my understanding. We're moving their gas man so we can replace the sewer man. Um
the wreck uh complex restroom the contractor has some minor punch list items that they're addressing that should be completed relatively quickly. Um the streetscape as you can see out front the construction is in progress.
So they you know will be done at this phase at least by Memorial Day. Um 2024 road program um that's in progress. I know they're working up on uh started on Granville Avenue now. Um our lead
service line replacements, that project's in progress. We have a ordinance on the um commission agenda tonight uh having to do with that. Basically, if a right now there's no um method or
requirement that if somebody doesn't if has a a galvanized line or a lead service line um requirement to replace it and that's what the ordinance does gives a you know either
opt into the city's um I mean well basically that you can allow the city to do it for you as part of the contract. If you don't want to do that, then you have to do it on your own and you'll get a certain time limit to be able to
replace your line. Uh bike lane painting, that'll happen after they finish um the construction on um Atlantic Avenue, which should begin in the next week or so. And the last thing
is uh the redevelopment of wall 10. So that project was awarded and contracts have been forwarded is to the contractor probably will have a pre-construction meeting for that project in the next week or so. That is all that's on the uh report. Great.
>> Thank you JJ. Appreciate it. All right. We'll now move forward with our department head reports. Chief Adams, would you like to begin, please? >> Thank you, Mayor. Um just brief. Uh the fire department's in the process of getting our training renewals for the new coming year. Uh this concludes
includes annual training that we're required to do as well as certain specialized types of training. Um just another reminder, we did have a couple water breaks on homes over the past couple days since it warmed up. If you didn't shut off your outside water,
please remember to do so so we don't have these problems because it's going to be a bigger problem for you when you come down in the spring. If you're not here, you're going to find out that there's a mess. So, please make sure your outside water is shut off just because it's warm this week. It's going
to get cold again. It is winter. So, and uh that's all I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you, Chief Chief Henson. >> Thank you, Mayor Commissioners. Just uh real brief um just starting the year-end reporting for 2025. Just even going over some of the early numbers. We have had a
lot more calls for service. I think we can see that from our summer that we had last year. And again, I always do a full packet of our year end for 2025. So that should be the next meeting or the first meeting in February. Second, we're already preparing for the summer of
2026. If you notice, traffic maintenance is out and about already. And like I think Rich even touched on, we're starting to paint the corners yellow, freshen up the paint and it's I have to say to Rich, it's was a pleasure meeting with the citizens advisory board and I'd be happy to come back before the summer.
It was good to get that interaction of some of the things we do and why we do it. The public doesn't always understand it, but sometimes if I can give a little bit of insight into it, might not agree, but at least you know why these things are done. So I'd be happy to come see you again. That's all I have.
>> Thank you, Chief. Palmer. >> Hello, mayor and commissioners. Um, I second what Matt said as well. Um, it was a pleasure meeting with the uh, citizens advisory committee with Rich Tolson, so I'd be happy to do that again
as well. Um, the last few months, Roger and I have been saying we feel busier than ever. And um I think that it was true because we finished 2025 with 962 construction permits and updates issued, which is a
24% increase over 2024. Um total construction value reached 95.3 million in 2025, which is a 47% increase from the year before. Um, I'm also just
very proud of the building department staff and our inspectors. Even when we get slammed, we try to just keep things moving and um, maintain in compliance. So, um, if anyone ever has any questions about the construction permit process,
they could always reach out to us um, in the building department. That's all I have. >> Great. Thank you, PAMA. Roger. Thank you, Mayor and Commissioners. Uh I don't want to meet with Rich again ever. >> Oh boy. >> No, no. We had we had a great time. Uh
lot of information, a lot of good information. Uh there were a wealth of knowledge. They were good at getting the point out and they're a good sounding board on where we are in each department. I think it's it's a good relationship and to continue that going forward with not only construction, police and fire, you have zoning, you
have flood, every every aspect that touches Margate should be touching them as well. And I think that's happening and and that's a good idea to develop that committee. The uh we have a master plan subcommittee formed by the planning board. We're looking at options on developing the
master plan, getting professional on board, and there's more to come about that. The uh tonight is our planning board meeting, just our initial planning board meeting for this year. We have a follow-up meeting at the end of the month where we're going to have five or six cases and we're going to set everything in stone like the nights of
our meetings and tonight. So, that's all I have for now. Thank you. >> Thank you, Roger. Appreciate it, Pat. >> Thanks, Mayor Commissioners. Uh I'll be brief also. Um finally back to fully staffed after all the holidays and everybody took taking their vacation.
So, I've been busy with the weather events going on with the snow and salting the roads. Uh, we had a lot of winter main brakes lately, too. We've been taken care of. And, uh, also the sweepers going to be out of service for a few weeks for our yearly maintenance. So, weather permitting, we'll get them back as soon as we can. And that's all I
got. Thank you. >> Thank you, Pat. >> Scott, I'll be very brief. I just wanted to make two comments. >> All right. It's still red down there though on the lead pipe. Now, for instance, I I think a lot of citizens, some have called me up to ask me, and I
don't have a clear answer. My building, for instance, was built in the 50s. Pretty sure there's lead pipes in it. How does a citizen go about making sure that the city contractor will do that work? And to what extent, how far do they go into the building? Do they do
inside the walls or just >> They have to take it 3 ft inside. have to take it 3 ft inside inside the building or to the shut off. That's as far as this the law requires. So in and and I'll just say in your instance
because you did call the contractor went in and checked you have a copper line coming in from the street. >> So I'm good. >> Well, and in accordance with the state law, yes, you're good. If you have galvanized pipes through the rest of your building, that's your
>> I know I don't chew lead paint, but I don't know about the galvanized. >> So So that's that's that's how far they go. >> But they'll actually come to your house and they'll look. >> Yes, they have to. >> And that's state law, state mandate. >> Correct. They're required. Yes, they're
required. But we need they the property owners have to give an access give the contractor an access agreement to allow them to come into the building. And there's methods that they're required to contact the owners of the property.
They'll they'll go out there knock on the door. They'll leave a a door hanger. They have to send certified mail and then they call try calling them also. So there's four um methods that they have
to exhaust before they can move on to another. >> So if a citizen wants to do this, Joe, who would they contact forward >> specifically? >> No, no, no. I'm just asking specific because the way the way it's set up is
we have a certain amount of time to get this all done. So we have till 2031. So it's being broken up into phases of construction in the city. So right now they've started up in it's the
norththeast corner of the city and are will basically be working toward Longport. So what's going to happen is in you at some point you will be in a phase of
construction and you will be contacted at that time about replace you know getting the access to allow the contractor to come and verify the material inside the building as well as if you do have
basically really most of it's around here is galvanized. you have a galvanized service, you're going to allow them the contractor to replace that service to three foot into the building to or to the shut off valve. And if not, they have to put a shut off
valve inside the building. So that's that's what the requirement is from the state and that's what we're following in the city with the replacement program. >> That's very helpful. And just so people understand, you have to do this. You go to sell your home, you go to rent your
home, correct? You have to have a certification that you've followed this process. >> So, >> yeah, you have to right, right? That's correct. You have to prove that that either you did it or >> at least when the city's doing it under
their contract, we know which ones were done. >> That's great, Joe. I appreciate that. Also, just wanted to thank your firm, you guys, the work you, Roger, with Scarbor. He's trying to get the first dredging project moving in Margate. He
bought the marina on Jerome Avenue and that will really show us how to handle future dredging applications throughout the city. Of course, we're working on a plan on how homeowners uh get a necessary permit or how that's actually done.
>> But it's really important. It took many years to get this citywide dredging permit and uh but we have it. So, that's the good news. Thanks. That's all I have. Thank you, Scott. Johanna, >> I would like to let the public know that beach badges are on sale at the Bloom
Pavilion. The pre-season price is $10 for uh people 10 or 12 and older. Senior citizens 65 and older are $3.50. Uh there were holiday tags available
which I don't think anyone needs now. Um, dog licenses are available in my in the city clerk's office. It's $6 for a dog that is spayed or neutered. It is $9 if the dog is not spayed or neutered and
you need proof of rabies. And that's it. >> Thank you. All right, we will now open up to public comment. If anyone has any comment for anything discussed in our workshop meeting, please step forward to the microphone. I have a question about um >> Joel, would you please just state your
name? >> Joel Narov, 223 North Washington Avenue. Um I got a uh it has to do with the lead pipe replacement. I got a contract. I called they said, you know, they want to come in inspect it. I got a contract
that basically whole says that the people coming in have no responsibility for anything that happens. >> Have you looked at that contract? I didn't send it to a lawyer, but I mean are did they give you a contract? >> I am aware of that. That's they're
following the state program and uh I'm sure you can put a claim in if if they do something wrong. I I I I'm I'm asking that you look through that and give advice to the
>> res. Yes, very much so because my own property affected by it and I'm very familiar with it. >> But it's a state mandate and we've got to move forward on this. This is statewide, not just Margie. >> Right. But if we don't sign it, they don't come in. Is that the correct
>> That's correct. You have the option of replacing it yourself. >> You have the option of of hiring a contractor to replace it yourself if you don't want to allow the contractor in >> to do it. >> No, the issue I mean the issue is the
structure of the lawsuit of of not the lawsuit of of the contract basically. I mean I'm not a lawyer so I have no you know I I don't know what my rights are aren't >> by signing that. And they're running a line to your what do you call that when you're hooking into the house? That's
>> crawl space. >> Into your crawl space if you have. >> That's it. >> Yeah. >> You're not going into the walls. >> No, I I understand. All I know is that you know, I read the thing through which was probably a mistake. Uh and and you
know, basically it said that the company has no responsibility if there's a mistake if anything happens. And what I would like is since this is going out to all the member all the residents who are going to do it, at least we get some
advice on a part of the city of what this really means in terms of the legal obligations of the company that's coming in. >> It's very similar to the city when they run the line to your curb from the street. So they the contractor This is a
contract form. It's a model form that was used. >> It's a it's an access agreement. Yeah, >> that's what it is. It's an access agreement to allow them into the dwelling to >> Right. And they do have exculpatory language so that they're not responsible for running a line from the street to
where it hooks into your water. >> Okay. >> I mean, if they don't have to do that, you don't have to use them, >> right? >> Who pays for it if we don't use it? >> You pay for it if you don't use them, right? >> They do it. It's free. >> Well, I understand that. And if they make a mistake, who pays for their
mistake? If something happens, you've read it through. You've read it through. If if if there's damage created in the process, who is responsible contractor >> to the contractor would be responsible
because you can show negligence. I understand they try >> any other construction contractor. >> They try to clear themselves, but they usually that won't hold up. But I'm not going to give you legal advice on an independent home. Here's what I am going to tell you. If I had galvanized pipe or lead pipe, I want that pipe replaced at
the city's cost. >> Oh, I I and I agree with you. I have no problems with that. But I don't agree with that that I'm asking for for information >> which every single you know I I may not
need it happen because this building was was put up uh you know 20 years ago. Definitely stuff prior to 78 has it but I don't think in the last 20 years or so. Right. >> So Mr. Narif just so as JJ mentioned we did have our first meeting regarding our
public outreach. I'll pull this back to the team as far as how we can communicate that back. >> It's just information. I mean >> I suspect most people won't read it and that's why I said I probably made a mistake in reading it but I read everything that gets sent to me. So it's
uh >> it is the it is the responsibility of the city and the contractor to restore everything to its original condition. So if that doesn't happen that is where the city goes after the contractor and make sure that they do that. So that's our obligation. >> All right. That that's what I'm just trying to clarify.
>> Yeah. Absolutely. >> Some advice we usually tell people is take a video of your house before they enter your property to have a a reference point. >> Yeah, video pictures certainly help. Yeah. Thank you. All right. Any other public comment on
workshop? >> Yes, please. >> Good evening. My name is Tom Gigerich. My family has been here for a long time. And to my to your surprise, I'm come to pay some compliments and not the typical
and moan. All right. So, number one, I've known Scott for years since he was a kid on the beach in Bentner and so was I. And I his father was my dentist, blah blah blah. Right. >> Pretty long time ago.
>> Yeah. We show our age. But I I got to say that this guy has has made so many trips to Trenton in pursuit of getting our bay dredged, etc. He has climbed a
mountain on his own nickel over and over. And I and if it weren't for his expertise, I think the whole issue of getting a bay dredge would have died and died and died. So, God bless him for his tenacity in getting it done. And I hear
that the gate is now open to start or >> I hope so. I hope so. Scarbor will be the first hopefully. >> All right. So anyway, that's a compliment. >> Well, thank you >> and God bless him. Second thing is I'm concerned about the
streets in two ways. It's very easy when you're having your streets paved to get the contract, get to this, that, and the other thing. Say, "Okay, go ahead." But what I've noticed a couple of things. Number one, some of the streets going up and down, when the machine is paving,
they don't level the machine to meet the covert or raise the covert to meet the level. And so, you're driving along in a beautiful city with superb uh paving that makes us look like the
quality that it is. And then you're going along and you drop down into that culvert. Boom. Boom all the way up from uh Jerome all the way up past Castles. I've noticed that. So I don't know how
one can plug into letting contracts and plug into that that those culverts either have to be raised or the or the other one adjust it to handle not having those cup things that everybody has to dr drop into every day going forward. So
that's a minor issue. It's not a life life-threatening. The second thing is that this is a favorable comment. Again, the idea of making Atlantic Avenue one way each way, I was totally against it.
I think it's a great idea because it's only a mile and a half. How fast do you have to go to be able to zigzag around, so forth and so on. So, kudos that that was a good idea. Uh the last thing is not a complaint but a
suggestion. The paving coming down from Essex Avenue to Washington going south something has happened to that asphalt. It is like bump gaz galore when it should be have a lifestyle maybe 15 20
years something's happened to that and I don't know what it is. So I'm just passing that on for comment and I'm finished. Thank you. It's Atlantic Avenue going south from Essex to Washington is like rough as can
be. It's somehow or other it's deteriorating >> or that's being repaid. >> Huh. >> Or that's being reconstructed. >> Yeah. So, so my point is it probably so, but you know, one might have to watch
the paving contractors carefully to see that they're doing their job to the quality that Margate deserves. Goodbye. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is John Garry. I live at 9612 Winchester in Morgate. Been
here since 96 as a permanent resident. This is about the gentleman speaking about you should leave your Ferrari at home. >> What? >> When you're driving down the street, you get the bump the bump. >> Yeah. >> Don't drive your Ferrari down that street. >> Okay. It's okay. No, he doesn't.
>> Sir, they're very low slung vehicles. >> No. >> Well, I'm talking about Ferraris. >> Ferrari. Yes. >> Excellent. Thank you. Is it about the water contamination? You sent postcards out about a month ago. Uh what's the
story with that? >> What is it, sir? >> You said the cards that were sent out >> the PAS. >> Yeah. What What's the uh situation with the contaminants that scared a lot of people? >> What's it lead?
>> No. Yeah, Pat, you want to just give a brief update on that, please? >> Yeah, what it was is that was uh it's an unregulated contaminate contaminate. The EPA requires us to send that out. We had one test and one well that came back at
like six parts per trillion, which is under the, you know, the legal limit from the DP is like 13 parts per trillion. >> So, >> has it been named the contaminant? Is there a name for it? >> Poss. >> What is it again? >> False. Okay. Long me. >> Yeah.
>> That's Greek to me. >> Okay. >> But what happened is one quarter we it was an annual test was in Jan last January. That's actually when So then had to go to a quarterly test. So the three quarters of last year nothing was un it was undetected. So we were
thinking it was more of like uh the guy that was testing it, the lab was uh it contaminated it. That's what happens. like if you wear certain jewelry or even like pair of jeans when you're taking a drawing the sample or whatever it can actually contaminate the water and that's what we think that's what
happened. So basically we're going to test it this month again and then it's defin we're going to ask for uh like a waiver to go back on the yearly sample. So but the last three quarters were completely fine. And what happens is it's kind of weird that it did pop, you
know, that we did have that positive test is because the other two towns on this island, Lawnport and uh Vetner share the same, you know, they get in the water from the same aquifer, >> right? >> So, and they don't they have no they had no positive tests. So, it seems to me it
was like more of a operator error kind of thing. >> Okay. So, it's been remedied. >> It's been fine. Yeah. Been fine ever since the last three quarters. >> Okay. So, are we going to send out another postcard to let everybody know that you can stand down >> on the website? >> I mean, a late fear. >> Uh, well, we're not you don't you only
have to send a postcard out if it comes if it pops again. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, we have a test this month and then hopefully go back on the yearly yearly uh testing. >> Okay. Let me ask you this last question. Uh, do Britta does a Britta >> Well, that's basically if it if it did
that take it out. >> Yeah. If it was showing up all the time, basically activate carbon like a Brit would would actually solve the problem. >> Okay. All right. Very good. Thank you very much and happy new year. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi. Uh Liz O'Brien from For South Monroe
>> and I was just curious, can I ask about something that hasn't been discussed yet here? >> So, uh in public comment for the next meeting, which will be as soon as we conclude this one, that's when all other topics. Great. >> Yes. Thank you. >> All right. Is there a motion to close
public comment on workshop? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn? >> Yes. >> Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg? >> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn? >> Yes. >> All right. We will >> let's >> move forward momentarily as soon as >> like to call the meeting to order, please. Johanna, will you read the statement of compliance?
>> The notice requirements of the open public meeting act for this meeting have been satisfied. A copy of the annual meeting notice was sent to the Atlantic City Press Carrier Post, posted on the Bolton board in the municipal building, the municipal website, and filed in the
office of the municipal clerk. Please turn off all cell phones. >> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> Attention salute. I pledge algiance 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. >> Johanna, please take the role. >> Mayor Collins >> here. >> Commissioner Blumbber, >> I am here. >> Commissioner Horn, >> here. >> Is there a motion for the approval of
the December 18th, 2025 regular and workshop meeting minutes? >> Motion. Second. >> Mayor Collins, >> yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> We will now open up public comment. So, please step forward, state your name and
address. >> Hi. Uh, Liz O'Brien, for South Monroe Avenue. Um, so I was curious, uh, our neighborhood group has an attorney who sent a letter, uh, regarding the Sunrise Tequila Bar, and I was just curious if
there would be a response or when that would be. >> So that letter was distributed to the three of us. Uh, we have not internally with the solicitor had any discussion um, collectively. So Scott, I don't know if you maybe want to add add something
to that with >> There it goes. There you go. >> No response yet. However, we do understand, maybe Roger, you can help me with this one, that they are putting in thicker glass windows supposedly. Can you enlighten us on that one?
>> It's my understanding that within a month or two that they will be putting permanent double pane insulated glass around the to envelope the second floor. >> Right. And also, our police chief is very much on top of this. And believe me, we want this problem resolved too.
and Chief Hankinson and I have had another n a number of discussions as with Roger and uh we're going to try to have this straightened out for this spring. I I know you the whole neighborhood we saw the letter extremely well-written letter by Mr. Perski made a
lot of great points and uh we have distributed that to the owners of that bar as well and uh hopefully they'll they'll see the light and straighten their act out. We're we're on top of it. So, just since the letter was written, I'm the neighbor right next door. Um,
and I have a Ring camera and was it New Year's weekend? It might have been over New Year's Eve. Um, the trash, same old problem. You know, more trash than they have space for in their enclosure. So, the trash was all over the whole
sidewalk. The emergency egress, they were open and the egress was basically blocked except for like a little tiny area. But worse than that, different. So this is a new thing. So that's same old. Same old. >> You want to add that to the letter? >> That's already in the letter, the trash.
But the new thing is that now there are animals hanging out around and in the trash. I don't know if it was a cat, a raccoon, it was something looked like this big, climbing all around. And I am directly next door and do not want a
animal problem because of somebody else's trash, which we discussed here many many times. >> We'll see what we can do about that. >> Um, so the windows are great. That's just one of the issues. So, but you're going to just deal with all the issues. So, do you have a timeline for when we
can come back and hear some answers? >> Chief, you got anything you want to add to this one? >> I I have nothing to do with the trash. I can tell you >> that I knew gun might be useful if it's a raccoon. >> I can tell you on behalf of the police department, we've been we wrote 14 summones for noise. They plead guilty to
every summon with a $1,000 fine each. We are very diligent in the noise department. We have tried over and over with uh hopefully the soundproof windows that have been we have been told will be installed in the coming weeks will bring
some relief as to the noise. But as far as the the code enforcement issues or the building issues, I will have to defer to Roger or code enforcement. So, when we've called the police, and none of those are any of your 14. I've called the police personally several
times, spoken to many of the officers, and they generally say the same thing. Their hands are tied. They don't know, there's nothing they can do because the music has been turned down by the time they get there, and then the minute they're gone, it's right back up. So our letter, our hope was in this letter that
there would be procedure that would be able to be implemented to give the police more power >> to do something more than just $1,000 cuz they took the I I know they ripped them up >> in front of the police officer. So it's
just very disrespectful. They're not respecting neighbors. They're not respecting the police. They didn't respect the planning board because they >> I'm hoping we've come a long way from that. Well, nothing's changed. We haven't come a long way from there's no progress. >> Windows are what over $100,000. Rogers.
They're telling us that. So, >> more than that, I think. >> More than that. So, >> well, I'll believe that when I see it. >> I'll believe it when I see >> my my building is about 10 ft away. So, I don't know if windows are going to help. >> So, any timeline? That was my question.
>> I don't have a particular timeline, but we are on it. So, we should just keep coming back to the meetings. >> Well, that's one option for the best. Yes. >> But, uh, it's no picnic for us either. It's a our our police officers have a
lot to do out there. So, we have to constantly respond to these complaints. It it's it's not good for us either. And I can see the chief over there. I know he's not very happy with their actions. So, I think we're on the same page and we're we're trying to get them
>> to be better neighbors. I know you say it's not good for you either or the police, but like Jeff right here lives across the street. >> I know where Jeff >> year round and has to listen to them every night, every day. I mean, in the summer it's seven days a week, you know,
it's less now, but it's definitely worse for him than anybody else in this room. >> We're aware. >> All right. So, we'll just keep coming back. I mean, I'd just like to get an idea for like a month from now. We're going to discuss. Are you going to discuss it? I really don't have a specific time frame.
So, I don't want to give you a time frame that's not true. I'd like to see those windows put in. I like to hear what the end result is. >> So, the windows are one of like 12 items that need to be resolved. >> And you can add the animals to the list because that wasn't on that list. >> That's uh we'll see if we can get code
over there about the animals. >> Scott, can I interject as >> Please help me bail me out. as it relates to the as it relates to the complaint that came in from the citizens attorney.
Do you think it would be a good idea for us as a team to meet with the owners and discuss that with them? >> Well, we've had several meetings with the owners. We gave it to their to their attorney. That letter, Roger, >> I did discuss with Eric last night. He
wants to have another meeting. >> Okay. So, so the idea is that we are in fact moving to address the concerns with their attorney >> very much so >> and we will be able to respond to you in writing with some type of action as it
results of the meeting that we have. >> Okay, >> great. >> Good. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Liz. Jeff Hoffner, five South Monroe. I've called numerous of times. That's what I hear. I've called several
times, twice in a night. I see the cop coming. I invite them into my house. Here's what you got. They don't want to come in. I see them doing drivebys. and roll one stop and keep on going. And I'm and I'm
I get the brunt 5:30 dumpsters being picked up in the morning. 5:30. You guys sleep with your windows open in the spring. I'm sure you do. Some of them do. I don't got Saturday mornings downward dog yoga going on. I can't even enjoy my
porch. Something's got to be done. really quality of life for me. I mean, the music goes to 1, two o'clock in the morning. I work. I still work. It's uh pretty annoying. It's that lower base that goes right
through the house. So, I don't know what windows are going to do with this. There's open uh louvered uh ceiling in there. Are they going to enclose that, insulate that? What's uh what's going to be the issue? What's going to solve it? windows. Are
they going to be permanent fixed windows? >> I'm not >> That That's my understanding. Yes. And and the the roof is a concern of mine. >> Yeah. But I'm on the second floor. Second, third floor. It's Eagles game. I have the Eagles chant every time they
store touchdown and then and then listen to the DJ for a while. >> Oh, no. I I have a log. >> They haven't scored. I get it. >> Yeah. I like Eagles, too, but I want to hear chant every time they score a football or or a touchdown or I don't
want to hear DJ in between commercials. >> Roger, have they submitted a plan for the installation of these windows yet to the planning? Do have we seen anything? Don't we have to see what they're going to be doing? >> Does it have to go to the planning board?
>> Uh to the zoning board. >> Yeah. for them to do an install of the permanent windows, they have to come in. >> You would you would have to see something. So, in that regard, it doesn't look like anything's really moving, Scott. >> But I have no control over. I understand
over $100,000 of new windows. That's what their lawyer's telling me. >> So, >> what date? >> Hopefully, that's something when you meet when we meet with Eric, we can fur it out. >> Nail that down. >> Yeah, it's a it's a ceiling as well. That's where it's come. Sound's coming
from. It's okay. I guess I'll keep coming back. >> Thank you. Thank you, Jeff. >> Good evening. My name is Maryanne Cleur, 25 North Madison, apartment A8. So in regard to the tequila bar, the noise,
the ordinances are breaking. No one factored in that there's no parking in that area now. Like there's no the the tequila park people can park but the but the street parking on
Winchester Avenue where I live off of. Is anybody going to address giving us some kind of uh 2hour parking unless residents only on some of those streets? Is anybody going to address the fact that they built a bar and they have no
parking lot? >> That was addressed. They they received a variance for that. I may or may not agree with that, but they have a variance for the apartment. >> So, what is the occupancy of that? What what what how many people are they allowed to hold?
>> 89. >> What? >> Yeah, I don't remember off the top of my head. I don't want to miss misspeak on that. >> 89 upstairs. >> 89. >> I'm sure it's maxed out. So unless
everybody Ubers, we the the residents down there have nowhere to park. This was just like put in what, however it was put in. It's once again, no one was really given any notice. It just happened and now there's all these
problems with it. So I feel bad for the people have to hear the noise. I hear the noise when all the the people are coming. I like to have my windows open. I just learned to live with it getting woken up. We had we had construction
done on my building. We had a porta potty out there and they were using our porta potty and then dropping drinks and everything in our driveway. I'm tired of calling the police. I I'm I don't call. I just have to like be woken up. But I
don't understand why the noise is a problem and there's no parking and then our town let this happen. So, I don't belong to the citizens advisory board, but I don't understand why we everybody just let this happen to that down beach
without our without us knowing that it was happening. >> No answer. >> Yeah. I mean, just touching on the parking situation, Roger, maybe you can just give a brief commercial um commercial parking is scarce as we all
know throughout throughout the town and the zoning board. I don't know the exact number of of spots that they they got a variance for, but it is typical of, you know, many commercial projects where they are getting parking variances for um for commercial spaces when they're when we have these mixed use spaces that
we now see on in some of the Veterary Avenue uh construction projects. um they have a residential component as well. The planning and zoning board will not give any parking variances for those residential spots. They tend to give them for the commercial space because uh
it is just very it's virtually impossible for these businesses to um to operate under the parking requirements on in our space. So it is I don't know if you can put some historical context to to the nature of that but it you know so this was an approval that happened was it two years ago I guess when they
got there about two years ago >> they came in twice one for the original second floor and when they started tearing the whole building down they had to come back so I had no parking prior to this addition and their justification was removing two residential units which
requires parking and appearances are usually typically not given for residential use and they made it all commercial use. So the the increase of the parking requirements for the commercial were I don't want to say insubstantial but they the planning
board has felt that it is unfair for commercial businesses to buy spend $5 million on a property to provide parking for 3 months a year uh as is the case for any many other shore towns in the area along the coast. So, they got the
commercial variance uh uh for the parking unlike another project right down the street where they have parking and they're not using it. Um so yes what you said is accurate where the planning board has been granting
variances for commercial parking requirements >> and we do recognize I mean again when when we collectively meet department heads or uh or here we do realize that parking is a is a problem throughout the entire town and we we are looking for
ways to to resolve that and make it um you know make it better for for all the residents. in all the neighborhoods because it is, you know, while you're you're impacted by this situation, you know, many people are impacted uh by similar situations in their neighborhoods and and we're we always
look at it and again, as you said, the citizens advisory uh committee, they uh they're on top of it and they pinpoint very specific block byblock and they give us the feedback as well, you know, so that we can again use that in in our
assessments. So, um, you know, and again, the three of us were we we take notes. We, uh, bring these back to our meetings so we can try to try to find ways to exhaust. >> Well, my question is, just say Ventner. There's spots in Ventner. There's spots
in Chelsea. They say threeh hour parking unless you're a resident. Why couldn't you accommodate the people that live in that area that know that the 89 people visiting and their friends are going to
have their cars there? Why couldn't we make some of those streets three-hour parking unless you're a resident that the residents can actually park? I I don't understand why somebody didn't accommodate the residents. I'm not
talking accommodating the bar. I don't think the bar should have bu been built unless there was enough parking. It just doesn't seem it doesn't seem like it was sensible to me to give that property all that power and and and ruin
a little neighborhood down there. But then again, with that being said, my block doesn't even have the the sidewalks. We don't even have the white lines in the sidewalk on Winchester. So when I try to get across the street,
I have to wait till somebody decides they're going to stop for me because we're like the lowass citizens down that end of town. That's just my observation. I'm just here to say my two cents and u maybe somebody will listen to me and
maybe I have to get an attorney to write a letter to say what I have to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. Aaron Singer 91 on the beach just to bring us uh to where we were when we went to the planning board.
They were supposed to have close to 30 spots to park. It was minus two cuz you took two away from the front of the building for the Uber spot. Many of the residents spoke at that
meeting. The planning board rejected it except for one vote and granted the variance. You appoint them, mayor. Now we have a mess. What are you going to do with this planning board
and fix the problem? >> Yes. So, so I do appoint the planning board and I am proud of the selections on that planning board. I do not influence their votes. >> Right. Your father at that Excuse me. I'm sure. >> Excuse me. Let me finish. >> Um, you know, and I I say to all of my
appointments, >> if they have questions, concerns, any anything regarding any case, feel free. I'm I'm you know, you can always uh always reach out to me and ask me, but I I have never once influenced any of their decisions. And I I wouldn't. That's not my job. My job is to put representatives of our community on that
board. I trust them. You may not agree with every decision they make, but they are respectable members of our community. and I stand by, you know, them and I don't always agree with the decisions they make. They just made one uh a couple meetings ago that I would have uh gone the other way on. But
again, that's not my job to make their decisions for them. They represent our community and I Your father at that meeting stated to the public that they shouldn't have bought a residential house in a commercial district. Shame on
them. Again, I don't speak for my father, nor does he speak for me. So, uh I do not he does not influence me. I do not influence him. He >> problem we saw coming, >> but no one listened. >> Thank you, Aaron.
Hello. Greetings to you all. My first time here. My name is Ed Dixon. I live at 3507 Asbury Avenue in Ocean City, New Jersey. And I'm here to thank you for all you do
to honor our military veterans. The Memorial Day tribute, the 82nd anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, June 6th. the July 4th Independence Day celebration and especially this year
celebrating the 250th anniversary of our freedom and our great country. Also, Veterans Day, November 11th. All great tributes to our military
veterans still fighting in other today in other countries to preserve our freedom. There is an idea that I would like all of you to consider. I am here to ask the mayor and council of Margate to consider dedicating the
entire month of August to our military veterans. The month of August is important. They have allowed us to live in freedom. They have suffered and made many
sacrifices for us and their families. I hope that many Americans across our great country could see an entire month dedicated to our military veterans. I have talked to the VFW and the American Legion and they like the idea
and we will talk again in the future. I hope all of you can consider this dedication. It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the veteran, not the reporter, who
has given us the freedom of the press. It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. I also ask for that month too because
there's many other things that have happened in that month that go unnoted. One of them is Air Force Day, August 1st. Coast Guard Day, born 1790, August 7th.
Purple Heart Medal established 1945. August 14th, National Navajo Code Talkers Day. I don't know if you've ever seen that movie, but that was very important during the war. August 16th, National Airborne Day.
August 19th, National Aviation Day. And for the ladies, August 26, 26th, Women's Equality Day. Also, it's the last month in the
vacation season. So, a lot of people coming down to visit if they could see a sign, a banner, coming into the city and going out of the city stating that this month is dedicated to our military
veterans. maybe they can bring this idea home because my idea and what I'm trying to do is to have this noted on every calendar in the country across America that this month is solely dedicated to
the military veterans. Thank you very much for your time and may God bless all of you. >> Thank you, Ed. Thank you for your service. Do we have any other public comment? I promise not to be a custom. >> I like that. I'd like to pick up on what
he said. I'm a Vietnam vet in the Air Force and sometimes it brings me >> State your name once again for the record. white people have done for their country in the military. >> Oh, Thomas Gigrich again. All right. So,
what people have done for the military and tying into that, I want to salute the city for having the Fourth of July and the New Year's Eve concert at the Patina Center. And I I brag to say that I was I am a member of the Bay Atlantic
Symphony Board of Trustees. And I used to nudge Mike Becker every every spring, hey Mike, you know, they're doing this thing in Avalon and the people love it. The real estate brokers love it having a symphony orchestra performing in Avalon.
And so after 3 years of nudging him in 2017 at the hardware store he where he was holding court, he said, "Tom, just tell me how much would this cost to do this?" And I gave him the figure. He said, "Tom, we can do it. Go see Jimmy Cahill
and we'll get it done. We are now in our ninth year in the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve concerts in Margate." and the Fourth of July concert is splendid to to watch to see the celebration of life in
America. So kudos to him. Kudos to Mike Becker. It would have never happened without him. Um I think that's all I want to say. Thank you, Tom. Appreciate it. Is there a motion to close public
comment? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn? >> Yes. >> All right. We will now open up public comment on resolutions on tonight's agenda. If anyone has any comment on any
items on the resolution agenda, please step forward. >> Is there a motion to close public comment on resolutions? >> Motion. >> Second. Mayor Collins, >> yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> Johanna, will you proceed, please?
>> May I have a motion for the introduction of ordinance number 1-2026, an ordinance amending chapter 269, water and sewer of the code of the city of Margate City, county of Atlantic, state of New Jersey. >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, yes. Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion for resolution number one- 20226 payments of claims >> city of Margate bill list and payroll?
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion for resolution number two-2026 authorizing temporary budget? >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Mayor Collins. Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion for resolution number 3-2026 >> authorizing 2026 petty cash fund?
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion for resolution number 4-2026 authorizing official cash management plan? Motion
>> second. >> Mayor Collins. Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbber. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion for resolution number 5-2026 authorizing establishing depositories and signitories? >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion for resolution number 6-206? Authorizing an establishing of the city of Margate city fund balance for fiscal
year 2026. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. Yes. Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> I have a motion for resolution number 7-2026. Authorization of credit cards and credit card signitories.
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. May I have a motion for resolution number 8-2026 authorizing cancellation of tax or
utility overpayment and balances in the amount less than $10? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. Yes. >> Commissioner Blumb. Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. May I have a motion for the consent agenda which consists of resolution
number 9-2026 through resolution number 2026. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> At this time, I'd like a motion for
resolution number 21-2026 declaring executive session. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> At this time, I'd like everyone to step outside while we have our executive
session. You can return when the meeting's over. >> I can't see anymore. >> Oh, is it starting to bother? >> Yeah. I was going to walk in between like for the one minute and I'm like I'm just going to roll because it was longer. But
>> uh yeah, you stay. Ah, all right. >> Get comfortable. Chief Adams, >> you got >> three of you. >> Roger and >> Chief Adams have to stay for
>> I know I wanted to call you. >> Good to see you. Thank you. Thank you. >> I I told you I was going to walk in between, but we were getting slow. >> Close session. Uh chief has advised us of a situation involving our our city's
uh finance department and uh there is no action to be taken. >> All right. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Make a motion to adjurnn. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes.
>> Meetings adjourned. >> Thank you everybody. Okay, >> the room is yours. It's >> all yours. >> Good night, everybody. >> Byebye.