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 Star Ledger posted on the
bulletin board in the municipal building and 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 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. >> Johanna, please take the role. >> Mayor Collins, >> here. >> Commissioner Blumbberg,
>> I am here. >> Commissioner Horn, >> here. >> Welcome everybody. We will begin with our engineering report. Ed. >> Thank you, mayor. Good evening, everyone. Starting out as always with our dredging program. I reported at the last meeting that um um in antilimatic
fashion, we received our citywide dredging permit by default because the D missed their own deadline to review and approve our permit. Um so, we have a um an approved citywide dredging permit. We're still waiting to get the actual copy of the permit, but it has been confirmed that the permit has been approved. We've been getting some
questions on um what's next as far, you know, some people from the public want to know what the next steps are. There will be some information that'll go out to the public once we see the permit and then we're in the process of going through our capital budget um which would include taking a look at the project, planning out when we might want
to do certain phases, things like that. So, um good news is we have that permit. And then jumping down to item B, shelter island. Uh that continues to be an ongoing permit application with the D so that we can ultimately utilize that site as our more cost-effective disposal
site. So that is in progress. Item C is the Washington Avenue streetscape project. This project was awarded um the contract was awarded I should say um and the DOT has um concurred with the city's awarded the contract. Commissioner
Bloomberg asked me to just give a general overview on kind of what'll happen next as far as construction sequencing things like that. Um, and I can give a high level uh update on that. We we haven't had our pre-construction meeting yet with the contractor. We're in the process of scheduling that because we couldn't schedule it until
the DOT concur with our award. But just generally speaking for this type of construction, there's a lot of utility work associated with this project. So once the project starts, and we don't know yet which part it's going to start on, um once the project starts, the first part of construction will be the
utility work, similar to other roadway projects that we do in town. Then the contractor would bring in their concrete crew, um which would they would deal with the curbs, the sidewalks, things like that. And then, you know, the last phase of construction would end up being the road work, the paving work, the
striping, the landscaping um items to that effect. Once we have our pre-construction meeting, we'll have a much better idea on construction sequencing. In addition, we're going to have our standard pre-construction meeting with the contractor, um, which is very technical, very boring. Um,
we're planning on having a separate pre-construction meeting, uh, that would be open to the public. The public would be invited to attend for people that are on that street that would be impacted by the construction. Um, and then we would we would be able to address specific concerns of people that are on that, you
know, on in that project area that would be impacted, what to expect, what the schedule is, what resources are available to them, who they can call if they have a problem. Um, so I think that could be very informative. Um, so we'll obviously keep everyone informed once we once we kind of have a a timeline and a
schedule for those meetings. Item D is the Amherst Avenue pump station project and we just are awaiting our official approval from Green Acres for the Green Acres diversion for the location of that pump station. We've pretty much done everything on our end that we need to do. Um there is a little bit of back and forth between us and
Green Acres just to dot the eyes and cross the tees, but uh we hope to have that approval by the end of the year. The public works building uh project we have uh done our review. We've sent some information around um to city officials just to take a look at some potential revisions that we can make to the plans
to reduce that cost and I believe this will be part of the overall capital budget discussion. Item F is the Veter Avenue parking lot which we will be putting out the bid. We have our county approvals for that project. We have updated the plans to include some pvious paving where
possible in the parking lot. Um we got the approval from the Exxon folks to do that. So um that will be incorporated into the project. Item G is the Atlantic Avenue project um which is on today's agenda to be awarded to Lambert
Construction. That is the next phase of Atlantic Avenue uh that we want to get paved before we do the striping of the uh bike lanes which was later on in the report. Next projects the 2025 road program which will be going out to bid. No updates on the next few projects which are just ongoing items. Uh jumping
down to our construction list. You see we have one maintenance bond left um that is scheduled to be released. We did our inspection that was for the first phase of the bike lane painting and then we'll be done our maintenance bond inspections for 2025. We'll update that list in 2026 with the projects that will
come due next year. Couple projects in closeout. Item P is the road program 2023 road program which we have final paving on Nassau scheduled in a couple weeks. Third page uh Thurlo Avenue. We um actually have the contractor scheduled
to repave Thorough Avenue. There were some issues with the paving that was done on that project. That road will be repaved at no cost to the city to address some uh pretty significant grading issues that we caught once the once the job was done. Uh so that work scheduled to take place on November 19th.
The Sig Rim uh restroom building is is scheduled to be substantially complete by end of this week. It's looking good over there. Uh Winchester Avenue is in progress. The 2024 road program is scheduled to begin in the first half of this month. Our lead service line
replacement project is ongoing with our contractor and there will be a public um information session scheduled uh very soon to push some information out to the public, answer some questions and uh help facilitate some of the the work that needs to happen before we can start
doing some of these replacements. And then the last item is that second phase of the bike lane painting that I referenced which will take place in the spring once Atlantic Avenue is painted. That's my report. Great. Thank you, Ed. We will now move to our department head reports. Andrew, would you like to
begin, please? >> Uh on this coming Monday, we have our annual Veterans Day lunch. So, I invite all the commissioners, if you're available, uh to please come to the pavilion. Um I'll get the time to I believe it's 11:30. Uh but it's it's a great event every year uh to see the
veterans and to honor them. Uh it's it's great. The kids from the school come down and and uh like I said, every everybody loves it. Um we look forward to it every year. Uh in the recck department, we're wrapping up soccer uh and getting ready for basketball um with uh travel basketball tryyouts and
recreation signups. So, anyone out there who knows someone uh who's looking to play basketball this year, please have them go to our website and register. And that's all I have. >> Thank you, Andrew Pat. Thank you, Mayor. Uh we've had a busy fall since the last uh commission
meeting with 146 incidents. Um three fires, one overturn vehicle on Koolage Avenue. And uh I just want to shout out that uh our first responders quick response to these three fires really made a difference. Um, and especially a
big shout out to police officer Michael Burillo who on 25 Harbor Line was was doing a patrol close by when the fire erupted and he got it with his extinguisher and uh he is also a retired uh son of Captain John Brillo of the
fire department. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Captain Lee. Mayor, uh, commissioners, um, we wanted to thank all the, uh, the departments that assisted with the trunk or treat. It was a very, um, safe and successful, uh, event this year. Uh, so, thank you to all that assisted us. Um, and now we are
looking forward, uh, to our annual toy drive that's coming up, uh, next month. Um, so we are in full swing and prepping for that. That is all I have, sir. >> Thank you, Roger. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, the flood conference was last week in uh, Atlantic City was very informative.
It looks like the state is going to pass their new legislation uh November for January 5th and the the state is adding three more feet of freeboard to the base flood elevation plus another foot of freeboard. Uh where the homes that are
have parking underneath, we should be okay, but we're probably going to have to add another foot of freeboard on the other in our ordinance. So, we'll wait for the model ordinance to come from the state. We'll see what happens. It's not signed yet. So, we'll go from there. Planned board meeting last week also
there was four cases. Uh, three were successful, one was not. And I believe we have this one. >> There's six more cases in the queue. So, that that's it for now. Okay. Thank you. Roger Palma.
>> Hello. Um, so I wanted to update you guys on our year-to-date permits. Uh, we do have an increase from last year. So far this year, we've issued 804 construction permits and permit updates compared to
681 this time last year. So that's about an 18% increase. Uh we're continuing to see a steady activity across the city and just trying to keep up with our reviews, inspections, and day-to-day questions that we get. Uh that's all I
have. >> Thank you, Dom. >> Um we got done uh public works. We did flushing last week, so that was very successful. Um we've had three water breaks. We have had a sewer repair in the past couple weeks. Um, we have all
the banners up on the prominad on the bay for this weekend coming up. Also, the shredding event is on the 15th be from 9 to 12:00 and uh it's usually a good event. That's all I got for you guys. >> Great. Thank you. And just because Dom
mentioned it, I'll just add, you know, I welcome everybody to to join me join us um Sunday at 3:00 at Jefferson Avenue in Amherst for our veterans event. Um, as many of you know, we started we instituted the banner program this year.
Uh, we moved all of the banners to uh the prominade um prior to uh fall funfest as we had mentioned at a previous meeting and we're going to have an event there honoring our uh decorated veterans who um who were the first phase
of the banner program. So we have uh some many of our living decorated veterans will be in attendance and many family members of our deceased decorated veterans uh will be there as well. So um we're expanding our program to include all veterans and uh more information
will be will be provided and we'll continue to to educate everybody on that. But um we are doing a it so it'll be a brief ceremony 3:00 Amherst and Jefferson and then we're going to move to the log cabin for a fundraiser um to continue this program and expand it uh
throughout the city. So again I welcome welcome you all and uh hope you all can make it and hope for good weather because right now it looks like we might get some rain on Sunday. So uh with that I'll uh pass it off to you Pat. >> Um just we have Mr. Lane in Mr. add it
that is online at this point. Just want to make sure that everybody's aware of it. Um the uh we have landscapers uh went wrong with their point of view on that u dealing with
finance and and service. All right. So, we'll go back. Is that better? >> Yeah, please. >> All right. We We met with the landscapers um over since we met last. Um the summary for that has been sent
out um was on October 23rd. We held the meeting. Um the we've been dealing basically with uh with some personnel issues and and getting uh stuff through DCA and civil service.
>> That's all I have for now. >> All right. Um also right now, just so we're aware, we're having some uh difficulty with our video. It's kind of why I'm a little bit distracted. I apologize. We're trying to get this up and running between Jesse and I. >> Okay. Thank you, Johanna.
Thank you. >> All's good with the clerk's office. We had our election on Tuesday and other than that, things are moving forward. Nothing new to add. >> Thank you. All right, we will now open up public. >> Before we do, I have a couple of things,
please. Sure. >> Um, can if somebody can explain to me um resolution 292-2025? I I don't recall being on any emails or having any discussions related to that. Can I just get a brief update for me and
for the public what what that's all about? Pat, do >> you have an update on that? >> Is that the Yeah. Is that the issue with the >> envir the environmental group? >> The environmental group.
>> So, we were contacted a while ago. Um, what's >> we were contacted a while ago reference to a um a uh a lawsuit um that I'm trying to think what the what the
word is for it. Um >> class action lawsuit. Um during that uh information the um and this was actually done by Scott. So he had done mo he has most of the
information on this. So um we were contacted saying there might be an issue um with a a settlement in New Jersey where we would have access to money in case something were to go uh arry with our water. Um, at this point in time,
uh, there was nothing that we know of, um, that there's been a a serious problem. I think, uh, at one point we did have a test that, uh, came up a little bit different and that was addressed and has not >> the city's water, >> I believe. So, yeah.
>> So, we're hiring this I again, I'm just confused. Can you make it simple? We're >> Yeah, it's a class action lawsuit and we're being represented by um we're entering into a class action lawsuit where this firm is representing a bunch
of municipalities that receive money for um possible cleanup and additional stuff with uh with water. >> It's not for anything that's presently that we we have to presently address. However, with the class action lawsuit, there is some additional monies to
ensure um if there are any issues, we can address it. >> So, so this this will not cost the taxpayers any money. >> No. And I I don't know if we can unmute Scott, but at this point, we're having a
little bit of issue with everything. >> Yeah. So, so I'm not exactly sure. Commissioner Scott, Solicitor Abbott sent emails out to the three of us over the last couple weeks about uh this case. Um law firm wanting to represent us, explained it. He went back and
forth, changed some language, felt comfortable with the with the language in the agreement. No cost to the taxpayer. Uh it's a protective measure for the city. >> Thank you. Uh I have a couple other questions uh
for Pat. Um, of course I didn't see a copy of our best practices um, survey that I believe was due to go back last week. Did Did that happen? It did not. We spoke with uh, Matt from
there, advised them that we were in the midst of replacing our CMFO or having a replacement put in place so that we could answer those questions. Um >> Matt Matt from where? Just so um on >> I believe it's from DCA.
>> Okay. And >> and we advised him we advised him that we were going to be late. Um and at this point in time it was the best we could do. >> And did we get a reply that we were okay there? That he's okay with that because that impacts our uh you know our um
state aid I believe. >> Yes. I spoke with him last week on Friday. >> Okay. He advised me that um he did advise me that uh those types of things impact our state aid. I explained to him our situation and he was sympathetic to it. He said that we needed to get it in
as soon as possible and myself and Dave have been working on it and we hope to have it be done by tomorrow. >> Okay, good. Um, in addition, if I could, I haven't seen Could I get an update on where we are with the budget and
contract negotiations? I haven't seen anything in the past. Kenny and Rich handled that and, you know, we were updated. I haven't seen an update. So, could you give me and the public an update on where we stand there?
>> Certainly. I met with three unions. Um, I met with police and fire and MCEA. Um, we we discussed our basics as far as uh what our negotiations would be. So, we're on track to have this thing,
you know, put put before us when >> uh we we still have uh several meetings to deal with. >> Okay. But only two, I think, and then we've got to get it approved. Correct. Well, I'm not exactly sure that there's any requirement that we have to get it
done within two, but we'd like to try to get it done as soon as possible. >> Okay. Well, I thought we needed to have it in place by the end of the year. >> Collective baring agreements. >> Yes. >> Yeah. No, I mean that they'll expire, but then what happens is you have a hold
with them until you get a contract. It's generally a retro check. >> Sorry. it. Generally what happens is uh you try to get them done before they before the next contract expires. Doesn't always happen that way and that's why people tend to get retro checks.
Okay, great. Uh the last thing I have is related to um the ordinance second reading of ordinance 19-2025. Uh, I've been on a couple emails where we have some con we had some concerns.
We were looking for some input from civil service. Uh, I don't believe that that that never came. Uh, I don't believe we ever got a definition, a definitive answer to that. Uh, in addition, I don't believe that we ever
had that title in the ordinance for a first reading. So, I can't I don't I don't think we're within our uh purview to add that title to a second reading of an ordinance if we never put it forth
for first reading. So, I think that needs to be scratched if I'm if I'm reading it right. >> So, I I sent you an email, Mr. Blumberg, explaining what >> that would be. Commissioner Blumberg, >> sorry, Commissioner Bloomberg. I sent you an email regarding this uh probably
the other day and I have a copy of the email regarding uh what I have from civil service. We discussed this actually you voted to approve this position. >> I I understand that and I >> and and we were discussing this with DCA
and civil service >> and in both cases they recommended this title be put in place. I spoke to civil service about putting this place or putting this title in place and whether it would make sense. Um there's some other additional stuff involved with regarding
>> and and and I'm good with that and I understand that your question but again the question is can it be on a second reading of an ordinance if it was never on a first reading of an ordinance? >> There's got to be a first reading. Yeah. >> So then it has to come off of here. We
can't approve this tonight. It would be the first reading. >> It would be the first reading tonight. >> It's the the ordinance is a second reading for approval. >> It's a second reading for approval from the previous issue. I'd have to ask the clerk about that one.
>> It's an amendment to the first introduction. We introduced the ordinance and we've amended it by adding another title. I I don't think that that'll fly in that
we never gave the public an opportunity to know that we were doing something until tonight. Again, understanding that I don't think there's any rush to do to add this title because we haven't worked it out with
the employees andor civil service. >> So, I I disagree with you. If you want to put it on there, I I think it's incorrectly on there is all I'm saying. >> I >> I agree. >> Yeah.
>> You can't you can't amend something substantive. Look at if there was a typo fixing the mic, please substantive amendment, you need to do another first reading. >> Yeah. So, I believe this was supposed to be a second reading for part of this and a first reading for the other part, and
it just got merged together. So, we're going to have to amend the ordinance to take off three and four. >> Yeah. And you go forward with the rest. >> So, when we vote on that, we'll do that. We'll move that forward.
>> Thank All right. Thank you, Commissioner. We will now open up to public comment. Anyone has any comment for anything discussed in this meeting, please step forward, state your name. >> Hello, Sher Lillian Feld from um 7809
Wellington Avenue, Margate. Uh full-time resident of Margate and also an active member of the Margate Green Team, Sustainable Margate. Ed says he always knows when I come to the mic and he knows I love his engineering reports.
So, I have a comment about item C and F. I'm going to start with F. Um, it had to do with the Vetner Avenue parking lot. I just wanted to thank you for listening to us about using pvious asphalt. I
guess you're going to use pvious asphalt or what? Yeah. Thank you. We need more pvious space on the island and I appreciate that and thank you for listening. Um, in that regard, I want to talk I want to ask you about the Washington Avenue streetscape project.
I've been at other meetings here where there was a little bit of discussion about one way, two-way. Um, I've also sent emails about the what you're doing on the streets. You're redoing the sidewalks and everything. So again I
will talk about the green aspect green infrastructure for that and what the resol I thought we were going to get a survey from people whether one way or two-way makes sense. I know um
Pat Moran had asked our green team what we thought in general. So just some general questions about that maybe you can answer. I don't have any information on the survey for you know a oneway two-way um for the design of that project. One thing we did do um shared to make it a
little more sustainable friendly was there were locations where there were existing grass strips that we were proposing to fill in with bricks and through the a lot of the public comment and feedback we decided to revise the plan. So wherever there's grass now there's going to be grass once the
project was done just to keep some of that green space in pvious cover. um as part of the project. So that was something that came through the public, you know, um engagement process that we ended up revising the plans on. So I think that's a positive. >> Good. We like to see the grass instead
of the bricks cuz obviously that's helpful. Um okay. And how about we So it's definitely going to be one way. I mean, I don't live near there, but I know people who do live there when the traffic's going to get diverted are not
happy with the traffic getting diverted into residential areas. So, any comments on a survey? >> No. How about you, Commissioner Blumberg? I think >> Well, I think it would be a great idea before we go down this path. I've said
it I've said it countless times that we should ask the people whether or not they're in favor of that street being one way because I think to this day there's still a lot of people that they don't even know that we're doing the
project and I think most of the people if not 99% of them are not in favor of seeing Washington Avenue one way. They're not opposed to the project. They're just opposed to that street being one way. >> Yeah. >> I think it's going to be horrible.
>> Well, one of the things that the green team said is you could still keep it two-way and then just upgrade the streets with with um bike racks and make it more walkable and with more green space. It's an option to like when you redo it, just keep it two-way but make
it nicer, more walkable from the beach to the bay. Just that came out from when he came into our green team. and that's what we had suggested. So, I just want to get that on record. And my final question has to do with this class action
lawsuit. Um, do we know what the contamination was and is it still there? >> I can definitely say that it is not still there. >> Okay. um to be able to explain what it was.
>> I'm a little bit uh off on that. It's uh it had to do with PFAS. >> Um >> P PF A P. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. >> That's pretty bad. Go ahead. >> So, supposedly um we had a count at one point um that may have been elevated. Um
and then um I don't know if because of that issue um we were able to or we were contacted by this group or if it was just a general overall um there's a bunch of municipalities in the state that qualify to get money for a cleanup
whether it um it it actually directly affects them or if it's just in the general area. and they contacted us. Scott uh met with them or discussed it with them for lack of better terms. >> Well, what I would suggest is um there
should be information published on this. Obviously, people care about the water that they drink and if there's a class action suit, even though it's not costing us anything, we should be aware of the issue and what was involved. And you know, I don't know
where you might have noticed. I've seen you've been doing more stuff on social media which has been very helpful and you know people are going to have questions and it's better to answer their questions instead of having them come here and ask and wonder why why didn't we know? So just suggesting so
anyway that's it for my comments. Thank you. >> Thank you. Von Real, 6 North Mansfield Avenue, Margate, year- round resident. Um, somewhere in hell there is a snowball freezing because commissioner, we agree again on something. Um,
I've talked to a lot of people about the Washington app project. Most have no idea about it. And when I tell them it's going one way, virtually every single one says they're against it. So my suggestion would be before you take any further action, at least educate the
public, get some input from the public because there are a lot of people who do not know about it and when they're informed about it, they do not like it. So just some food for thought. >> Thank you. He's down cornerki 7702 Amhurst Avenue.
Quest question. Last week we got a different solicitor. He said he was the assistant solicitor by his name. This gentleman now is here for who? They say for Mr. Abbott. We in the past never had someone sit in for anybody that was on
out, especially for Mr. Abbott. There's been meetings that were run without having a lawyer here. So, first of all, I didn't get your name because Pat didn't speak in the microphone. >> Sure. It's it's William Blay. It was my partner that was here the last time. >> Okay. Your partner was here the last time. Okay. Which he said he was the
assistant solicitor, which I couldn't find anybody. >> You were actually the labor solicitors. >> That's what I figured who you were because when I looked up the different or so why are you sitting in for Mr. Abbott if you're for the labor? >> Because they did not have an attorney here and they wanted an attorney for the
meeting. I'm already under contract with the municipality. >> M I'm going to Mr. Collins. That's gonna be as why did you ask to have an attorney here? >> We I think it's wise for us to always have an attorney present. >> But you never had in the past attorney at every meeting. >> We haven't. And
>> I'm just wondering why because the gentleman said he was the assistant solicitor at the last meeting. Okay. Fine. Um, the other thing I'm trying to at this point, um, excuse me, I just dropped down my thought here. Um,
oh yes. Um, at the meeting here at the last time, Palma, I asked you a question about, you know, the man next door to me that, you know, builder, and you said it was taken care of. Well, that Sunday, I had to call the police department. Dennis, these are questions. You can
discuss the next meeting. >> No, I was told it was taken care of, Mr. Collins, and it wasn't. >> Okay. This is a workshop meeting, Dennis. >> Okay, understand. But why was my name given to the builder? >> Again, we we'll address that at the >> You're going to address it.
>> You can come forward at the next meeting and and address that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Donna Taska 301 North Claremont Avenue um back again to find out whether we can get a double stop sign on Claremont and Amherst. So Don again this is
>> pardon me >> this is workshop meeting the public comment is only for uh the department head how do I sign down >> at our next at the next meeting which follows this >> directly after this there will be a public comment section thank you
>> Stephen Alman 9003 Amhurst Avenue Margate um with regard to um leaf blowers, which was briefly mentioned. Um, I'm just curious. Uh, I've been using a rake ever
since I was a boy and I'm wondering why we don't adopt um, just having rakes instead of leaf blowers because I watch my neighbors leaf cutings getting blown
down the street and not picked up. I rake my stuff up. I put it into a brown bag and the city picks it up. And why why is that not uh something that we could consider?
Um I I offer this as a suggestion going forward. The other thing is my house was um one of the houses that was grandfathered into instead of having
grass having rocks. I have plants and rocks, no grass cutings at all. And I'm wondering why the city doesn't consider that as a means of for going forward
with homes recommending that they have rocks in and plants rather than grass because grass by and large is uh a polluting item itself. it's it's not
really uh environmentally green even though it's green. U so I I offer that as a suggestion to revert back to the old uh rock gardens. It really works for
me, I tell you. Rain falls, it runs right off and is absorbed into the ground. >> Thank you, Steve. Good evening. Alena Alexander, 9704 Vetner Avenue.
I'm going to the Washington um Avenue. Is it a done deal? Like is it are you going forward with it no matter what? No voters, no >> residential voters. >> So the contract was awarded at the last meeting. Is that >> I heard that. So that was so so that was
awarded. And as far as uh anything involving traffic, there's it's legally cannot go to referendum. So there's not there's solicitor Rabbit brought this up. I believe it was at our September meeting because somebody asked about let's put it in the voter's hands. It
cannot legally go to referendum because it's a traffic matter and he has case law to support that. And you know, I'm happy to to get that and and email it to you um to show you if you'd like. And when is this project supposed to be starting >> and when it will be finished?
>> So we don't have exact an exact um start date yet. We we awarded the contract. We have a pre-construction meeting with the contractor that needs to be scheduled which should be scheduled hopefully before the next meeting. >> And then once we have that pre-construction meeting, that's when the schedule will be discussed when they
when they can start, how you know where they would start, when it would be finished. um because we, you know, we have the summer season to to deal with and um as far as not having major construction going on out there. So, we'll have more information on scheduling once we have our pre-construction meeting.
>> And how long is the project supposed to be? >> I don't have the contract duration in front of me. I apologize. Um >> just some kind of idea like how long does the project take? >> 135 days. It needs to be completed before May 22nd. >> Oh, before May 20. Okay.
>> Right. So, I mean, I do agree with Cherry that it should be two ways, but I guess it doesn't make a difference because it's all it's a done deal, correct? >> I mean, the contract has been awarded. >> Yeah, it's done. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Any other public comment for items discussed in this workshop meeting? Is there a motion to close public comment? >> No comment. >> Okay. Sorry. Thank you. >> 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 proceed as soon as
technology is ready for us. 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 Star Ledger, posted on the bulletin 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 October 16, 2025 regular and workshop meeting minutes? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn?
>> Yes. >> All right. We will now open up public comment for resolutions and ordinance adoption only. So, if anyone has any comment on the items on today's agenda, please step forward. Uh Steve Jaki, 112 North Lancaster
Avenue. Um res resolution 29025, a resolution opposing the inclusion of new offshore oil and gas leasing off the coast of New Jersey. That's we're going with that. >> That's on the agenda for a vote today. >> Excellent.
Now I'd like to talk to the mayor and say like your turn. >> Thank you. different meeting, right? >> Yeah. Okay. [Music] >> Uh Dennis Cornoski, 7702 Amherst Avenue,
your uh resolution 293. It's the first time anybody's hearing of this about putting three new people on the uh citizens advisory board. You're voting on that or have you already taken care of it? We It's It's
being voted on the agenda today. >> Okay. >> Everything. >> How are you going to get notification today to the people? >> Excuse me. >> Aren't you supposed to like in the past when they first you got a notification where people had a chance to apply? How
do they apply to something that you're voting on tonight? >> So, uh there are nine appointments on the citizens advisory board, >> right? Uh if you you know follow you'll see that six of them are um being reappointed in three new appointments.
Each commissioner has a vote for who their appointment who their appointments are and we all made selections. >> Did you notify the public? Maybe somebody out there wanted to apply. How do they applied? >> So we there's a constant outreach through the citizens advisory and they reach out to us directly. >> Okay. Well the I'm going to say your
advisory didn't reach out to the people. So that's you're gonna just go just vote and just put the people that you want to put on there, but there may have been people who wanted to go on there who had not been notified and tonight you're just going to vote your three people on. Correct.
>> Each of us has our own appointments. We each made our appointments. >> You don't, Mr. Colin. Did you give other people a chance out there? This is the first time it's being known to people that you have three openings. >> I have multiple people that approach me and I have resumes in hand of people that are interested in the board and I
>> Okay. How do so how do people get those resumes to you if they was just tonight and you're making >> my emails on the website and people people's they send them all the time. >> Wait a minute. You said this this information is on the website that you have three openings. >> The citizens advisory committee has a
has a page on the website and uh all of our emails are on the website so they can reach. >> Can I ask a question Steve? Was this posted on your website? There was three openings. >> Yeah, I'm aware of it. Yeah, >> you're aware of it. But was it posted >> again? It's been uh discussed
>> but discussed only with your group. >> So you discussed it with their group and not the people in Margate. >> Mr. Kenowski, their group, the citizen advisory committee reach out and people had sent they gave us names. >> Okay. We've been you've been in
existence for two years and I've never been contacted by them once. So how do they reach out? Mrs. Horn, >> but why be contacted? What's that? >> Why would you be contacted by them? >> You say they reach out to the people. So, how do they reach out to the people,
Commissioner Horn? >> I mean, I'll give a perfect example. Steve Alman is, you know, I mean, I don't want to speak for you, Steve, but Steve Steve spends a lot of time at the library and asks questions about all the projects, all the agendas he's out in public asking. That's the public outreach. And they
>> and they're at the Funfest. They're at all of our events handing out brochures, information regarding their group, encouraging people to reach out to them to become engaged in the community to to have a voice. >> And does he reach all 4,000 citizens at the library? No. >> Abs. I mean, does anything reach all the
citizens? >> Yes, it's called on your website, put it on the website as a news article, >> put it out as a blast or whatever. Just having certain people come to you to get a resume to get on this advisory committee is not fair. It doesn't give
the rest of the people who are not aware that they were open a good chance to get on it. Thank you. >> So again, just for the public to know because I think it's important, the citizens advisory committee is made up of nine members. Each commissioner has three appointments. So there's three,
three, and three. And uh the appointments are uh again we've dis we discussed this at pre previous meetings. The appointments are one-year terms except for the chairperson and the vice chairperson. And those terms uh can be
renewed by the commission if if we so by each one of us. We can reappoint the same person if we choose and uh we can choose to reappoint a new person. Um, and I encourage everybody in the public to uh engage with them because they are
a valuable resource to the three of us and they do provide feedback. And uh for any of you here today, there are members here. Uh we have Jan Weber, we have Steve Alman and I encourage uh you can grab them after the meeting, talk to them, ask how to get involved or go to
the website and they do have a a link on the website. So, >> um, since you took my name in vain, Steve Alman, 9003, I'm Hurst Avenue Market. If it's your pleasure, the the three commissioners, I'll be glad to do
a survey uh sitting over at the um um library regarding Washington Avenue. I know it's been awarded, but if it would help people in the community, I'd be glad to do a survey uh of people there
and um also the JCC and uh a few other places around town if that's your pleasure. I'd be glad to do. >> So, Steve, I've said it in the past, I encourage you and the committee to to survey people on every topic that we discuss, everything on the engineering
list. I mean, there's, you know, that is one that is to the to the top of many people's list, but there's others that are going to approach that as well that I think we want feedback. We're going to, again, I will say what what I learned through this Washington Avenue
streetscape project is, you know, this is this is a process that started well before I was elected. and a lot of things happened and the way the city did things, you know, we complied and kind of went through the motions and I feel
like and I I believe we all feel like uh we need to do a better job communicating with the public, better job encouraging people to come to these meetings so they can they can see the presentations. Um Ed has been talking about this for a long time. That doesn't mean, you know, as as Dennis said, it doesn't mean 4,000
people understand it or are getting it and we need to do a better job. All these plans have been posted on the website. Version one was posted on the website. Revisions have been posted on the website. We encourage everybody to look. Doesn't mean they always do. So, and it's been posted on social media. We've we've done all of that. So, again,
I encourage you and everybody to to >> not just take an interest. If I may, mayor, um this is totally informal and uh um for Mari's benefit, I I have not
done a survey as I've proposed, but I will and I'll have data for you at the next meeting. Uh but informally I haven't had any objections brought to my attention about Washington Avenue except
by our good friends who come to the meetings here. Um just generally around town I have not heard anything negative. So, but that's my own personal interactions for what >> Thank you, Steve. And we did I think
it's important to note that uh two members of the citizens advisory committee were on the steering committee for the Washington Avenue streetscape project sat in meetings with with Ed and and other uh city officials. Uh you know, again, a lot of miscommunication, misinformation out there. And I showed
up to a meeting. Ed was unable to to attend one of the citizens advisory meetings and I showed up with the plans to explain And I think most people again misunderstood the project and when they were presented they they understood and and got a grasp for it. So >> I agree. >> Um but thank you Steve.
>> Okay. Do we have any more public comment on resolutions and ordinance adoption? >> You can go first. >> Uh again uh Jewish war veteran uh Anna Moore is asking for your support for the resolution for 279. Uh just wanted to
inform uh the commissioners and the mayor that we recently had one of our veterans was here as a combat veteran that was raped in the military came to Margate. Um they did a release of burden hike here. They were completely suicidal. They were an inpatient program and uh this day really means a lot to
them and it means a lot to any of us that served. Um 1.4 4 million service members have been affected since post 911. And uh because this person came to Margate, they are no longer suicidal. Like they enjoyed healing here so much.
And we've been doing this for at least 3 years, bringing combat veterans that have experienced rape in the military to heal here. And so having recognition day here is incredibly uh invaluable to us. Thank you. >> Thank you. And thank you for your service.
Pat, did you have something you wanted to add? >> Yes. Uh, someone online, Joel Goldwing, I'm waiting for his um his actual address. Uh, his comment was, "I had submitted an application previously to be on a citizens advisory
committee and had not been notified of the openings." >> Okay. >> And that is it. I don't have his uh full information as of yet. Thank you. All right. Any other public comment on the items on today's agenda?
Is there a motion to close public comment on resolutions and ordinance adoption? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> Johanna, will you proceed, please?
May I have a motion for the adoption of resolution number 18-2025, an ordinance amending chapter 183-6 schedules of fees of the code of the city of Margate City, County of Atlantic, and
state of New Jersey. Motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins, >> yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. May I have a motion for the adoption before commissioner? Do you want to uh make you motion for your
amendment before we vote on 19 please? >> Uh I can do that. So the motion would be to strike from ordinance 19-2025 items number three and four.
And I will second that. May I have a motion for the adoption of ordinance number 19-2025 and ordinance amending ordinance number 11-2025 fixing salaries and compensation of
certain officers and employees of the city of Margate city county of Atlantic New Jersey with the amendment of removing title uh section number three and four motion Motion
>> second. >> Mayor Collins, >> yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> May I have a motion to adopt resolution number 276 2025 authorizing bill
payments of claims? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. May I have a motion for resolution number 277-2025 authorizing payment to Kmar Home Center?
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins, >> I abstain. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> May I have a motion for the consent agenda which consists of resolution
number 278 2025 through resolution number 293 2025. Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg? Yes. >> Commissioner Horn? >> Yes. >> All right. We will now open up public
comment. If anyone has any comment, please step forward. >> Donatasa 301 North Claremont. I'm trying to get a stop a four-way stop sign on Claremont and Amherst. Either that or why can't we make Claremont one way all
the way up? It's narrow enough. >> If you like to meet afterwards, I can sit and speak with you. That's strictly within the police department. I'm sorry. >> Ma'am, if you would like to meet with me right after uh the the meeting, I can
get with you. There are uh this strictly within the police department's realm to analyze with the four-way stops whether it it would be warranted or not. >> Okay. the it it's waiting to have a hazardous accident. There's been five there already and almost one again this week when I was out front. >> Okay. >> Okay. No problem.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Donna. >> Van Real, 6 North Mansfield Avenue, Margate, your round resident. Uh mayor, commissioners, good evening. Uh Commissioner Blumbberg, just want to ask you a couple questions. How long you been a commissioner? >> 18 and a half years. 18 and a half
years. And how many times have you been involved with a hostile work environment lawsuit of the nature that's going on right now? >> Uh none of the none that I'm aware of. >> It's interesting. So our current BA, if you just do a quick Google, he's actually been involved twice before in
hostile work environments directly in the center and here we are in Margate in a third one. And it's going to raise a lot of questions, guys, and you're going to have to answer them eventually. And I'm going to go through a couple and then I'm going to make one more comment. Who vetted the new BA? Did they know
that the new BA was involved in two prior hostile work environment actions? If you knew it, why did you hire him? If you didn't know it, who's responsible for vetting and not letting you know? And on October 9th, Commissioner
Blumbberg stated that the complaints that were about to be filed that you guys are going to vote on whether or not to move forward were inaccurate and retaliatory. So unless Commissioner Blumbberg is
changed his tune or unless you think he's a liar, you guys knowingly voted to move forward on a complaint that you were informed was inaccurate. >> So just to clear that up, there was never a vote on any complaint moving
forward. So that is false information. So when you guys went in the private section in the in into >> we voted to go into close session, >> right? And when you came out of you did you're not moving forward with the complaint. >> We did not vote on anything.
>> Okay. All right. So then I I take that back. You guys do have a fiduciary responsibility to the city. >> Um there are a lot of people asking a lot of questions about why this is being brought. you have a CFO nine out of 10
audits with no comments. That's kind of unheard of. So, people are wondering why you're looking to remove the person. um because it certainly seems like it and why the VA was permitted to hire a
private investigator that apparently nobody knows about or acknowledges and why it was done without Commissioner Blumbberg's knowledge because the employees in his department and yes I know the CFO operates across several different departments but in the
ordinance that created the VA position he has to keep the commissioner of the department involved with everything's going on in his department. So, there's a lot of people looking at this and are asking a lot of questions, guys. So, hopefully you do the right thing and end
this. Thank you. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Allison Land and I'm also a longtime Margate homeowner and taxpayer. Um, and I also was at the meeting on October 9th at which uh the complaint prepared by Mr. Moran was um
presented to the commissioners um making allegations against Miss Mcclin and first when you came back from private executive session, Scott Abbott sat right there and said that you have voted in favor of moving forward. Those were his words exactly. So there's something different about the record. I witnessed
that and everybody else who was here witnessed that. So Scott may have misspoke. He know he's not here, but that's what was said to this room. Um and in so many ways the process and the substance of that meeting were so deficient that they constituted a
travesty of justice and they were really embarrassment to the city. whole this whole witch hunt so to speak is an embarrassment to this city and I mean I think if you ignore the procedural defects relating to that meeting of which there were many the people who voted you who voted in favor of filing
that complaint which is what we were informed didn't receive the complaint as was stated that meeting until the night before there was no independent investigation of whether the allegations were true or not and Mr. Barney admitted that he just took Mr. Moran's word for
it. So, you know, all of those problems with the background that was presented to this meeting, you know, lead us to believe that yes, there is a personal grudge going on here, both on the part of Mr. Moran and those who are supporting him. And it's not a secret around this town. There are no secrets.
That there's been a running disagreement between Moran and Lisa Mccclaclin in the 11 months that he's been here. It's unclear, however, why the commissioners would take the word of an 11-month employee who, as Bon said, has a history of causing problems wherever he goes
over that of their 22-year-old 22 year veteran CFO who has an exemplary record, as was pointed out by Mr. Blubber at that meeting, you know, over the course of more than two decades. That's just befuddling to me. Um, so the question then becomes, you know, what
did the lawyers do about it, Mr. Blney? and and and Scott Abbott who have an obligation to inform the commissioners of what is um going to be filed in the name of the city and this is the city's name that would be on this complaint admitted that they hadn't done any independent examination of this
underlying substance against somebody who has an impeccable reputation by somebody who's been here for 11 months. It's just unclear to me why you would do that and why you wouldn't, you know, comply with the ethical obligations that are binding on all attorneys to investigate the veracity of a complaint before filing it with the court. So, I
think that you really ought to it sounds like you're having second thoughts about filing this thing, and I I applaud that. But I know Lisa McGloin for a long time, and she has she's one of the most conscientious, honest, and trustworthy individuals I know. the damage that's been done to her, her reputation, and her personally as a result of this witch
hunt. It can't be undone. It can't. But I urge you to write the ship here and revoke your prior resolution if it was adopted. Um, and to, you know, not file these baseless allegations against her and to reconsider Mr. Saran's continued employment because for so long as he's
here, there's a fox in the hen house and you're going to continue having problems and wasting taxpayer money on and diverting attention of city officials from what needs to be done, which is to focus on the running of the city's government. Thank you. >> Thank you.
front seat. Dennis Gornski 7702 Amhurst Avenue. I just like to echo what the people up here just said about Miss Lisa Mccclaclin's been here six years total of going to these meetings and I've never seen her not give a nice financial report which
the last two meetings you've not have done. That's why I forgot to bring up the last time I was here. We have another financial report and who's taking care of that? Mr. Collins or Mayor Collins. >> You'd have to ask Commissioner Blumbberg. >> You are the mayor. You said that we
always have to have a lawyer here. Wait a minute, Mr. I'm I'm frustrated. >> The attorney is is under my perview. >> So, we should have somebody a CFO here or somebody from the department giving a >> I agree. Okay. >> Public works, Dennis. My department public works. Our superintendent was unable to be here. We had a fill in.
That's >> okay. >> That is that is how I handle my departments. But you passed an ordinance two months ago that says you can go over each of the departments and look into their department. >> That's not what the ordinance says, Dennis. >> Okay. Well, what do you do? You have the ability to look into each department. >> I have the ability I have supervisory
ability in every department. >> Okay. Then you should when there wasn't a report given last meeting, this meeting there should have been one given. >> I agree. >> Okay. I'm glad you agree. So maybe the next meeting we'll have a financial or maybe our CFO will be back sitting where she belongs.
>> I hope we have a report. >> Okay. And the other problem I had is what I I'll bring up is I was here the last meeting where I had voiced a problem with a builder. I was assured that problem was taken care of. The following that's that was on a Thursday.
Sunday the contractor had somebody working. I had called the police department. They sent out a officer wrote in down called Monday and they said what's going to happen and I talked to somebody in the violation department who basically told me I'll take care of
it. Well, I don't know how he took care of it because that next day I had a knock on my door from the builder. So, obviously the building department gave my name to the builder and my address. >> So, where is that um written in the laws
there that you did do that? >> So, Dennis, you're on on public record stating your name and address with that complaint last meeting. >> My name? How do you get my name? He didn't put the report. >> You're on public record when you come to these meetings and speak. You spoke at a public meeting. You said your name and ask.
>> So that's how he got That's what you're going to tell me. >> I don't know. I I have no contact. >> You're not telling me that the building department didn't give him my name. >> I can't speak to that, but I'm >> Okay. Well, I'm asking the building department. How do you get my name? >> I don't know, Dennis. >> You don't know? So, I should call I
should call the person up and find out then. >> Sure. >> Okay. And if I found out you gave the information, your department >> what are >> well you gave out my address. My address is like you say on the public records but I don't expect my name to be given
by somebody. >> So Dennis your address is on public record and again Captain Lee maybe you can address this but if somebody files a complaint and it goes through the police department their name has to be on the record for for that complaint in order for it to be investigated. >> Okay. So I can go see that complaint then? So sir case uh case in point uh it
can be have been released via OPRA records. So anytime that we have a complaint the uh the complaintants information is taken into our uh record management system and the uh accused individual is also taken in there. So if somebody does an open request uh that can >> so I can see that report at your you
have my name you have to submit an open request but yes you would be able to see uh any >> I submit an open request >> request request public records >> and where do I submit that at your office? Okay, I'll do that tomorrow then. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dennis.
>> Good evening. Uh, my name is Dan Bichek. I live at 219 North Brunswick Drive. Um, lived in Margate 55 years. This is the first time I ever been in one of these meetings. And I'm reading about Lisa and
I'm I've known her since high school, reading about her audits all in check. Uh her boss says she does a great job. And I'm sorry I'm not so eloquent tonight because I'm kind of upset with when I walked up and
saw how Lisa was. And you know, I look forward to seeing her back to doing her job. Um, I think some of the things I read, um, 25 people applied for this BA's job and we hired a guy who had minimal
experience and I understand you were a chief of police in Galloway and thank you for that. Um, but it doesn't necessarily qualify you for the position he's currently in. And that's all I got to say. Thank you. Thank you.
Uh Kathy Heitzman, 22 South Adams Avenue, Margate, New Jersey. I sat at that meeting as so many of these other people did. I walked out of here stunned. Stunned. I've I didn't know about Margate, New
Jersey until 2005. I never heard of Margate. I never heard of Lucy the elephant. I'm a New Yorker. So I went to LBI for years. When I came to Margate, I fell in love with it. I bought within 3 months of the first time that I came
here. It's a wonderful, wonderful city. And what's happened is so upsetting to me because you're not being transparent to all of us. I mean, we feel like we're being taken. For instance, we have a man who's
suing one of your commissioners and he's still allowed to sit at the table. You have him uh looking into Lisa who's done a fabulous job. She can't sit at the table. It doesn't make sense to me. Now, I'm not a lawyer. Maybe this lawyer can
explain it to me. I'd like to know if that is the law. If you are filing a half a million dollar lawsuit against someone in a community, how can you still have that person work? And I'm not picking on him. I'm just >> we don't we don't have any lawsuits. So
in New Jersey, what happens is prior to filing a lawsuit, people have to file what's called a tort claim notice for certain types of claims. >> I don't know what that means. >> So what that means is they have to write a letter to the municipality and say, "Look, I think I've been wronged. this is how I think I've been wronged and
before I file a suit, the municipality gets an opportunity to look into that. So, we have a couple of those from various employees going back and forth and they're sitting out there that they're not lawsuits. They're like the
precursor to a lawsuit. Sometimes they never turn into a lawsuit, sometimes they do, but in order to protect your ability to bring a lawsuit, you need to file those letters. >> Okay? So, we we don't have any current employee lawsuits.
>> We have a couple tour claim notices, though. >> Okay. All right. Uh, second of all, I, as you all know, attend a lot of these meetings, and I really like to contribute. I like to care about the
safety of the community and especially our senior citizens. I have a friend who lives on North Monroe Avenue. She lives in Arizona in the winter for obvious reasons. And so she asked me last year if I could look
into what was going on. So I went to the planning board meeting that was held and it was the amended one because things had changed with the building where Tequila Sunrise is. that meeting
I I I had I couldn't speak because I was just so upset at the disrespect that the people were given who live near Tequila Sunrise. They are a driveway away
from this mess. And I love to dance. I love to go out and party. But you have to think of your neighbors. The same thing on Ventner Avenue. There's only a driveway away. What? They were supposed to have 29 parking spots. They have no
parking spots. How does that happen? And you let it go. Most my guess is if you pled, if we were allowed to do some polls, you would find out that at least half of those people don't live in Morgate. Now, my friend, uh, it was Halloween night, Friday night, and she
had some company, so she did not sleep in her regular bedroom. She gave them her bedroom, and she slept on her sofa bed, which is in the living room. noise, all kinds of things. She called at 1:00 a.m. They were still partying loudly.
All right. Now, she lives down from the pet store. So, there's the pet store, there's another house, and her house is there, but police did nothing because they were still partying and and I said to her, "You got to keep calling Diane." I said, you know, and and be kind, you
know, we're being kind about it, but that's unheard of. and and then even the fact about the fire ordinance about the number of people that are allowed in there and now we're going through the noise thing because these people are outside and I'm not you know everybody's
young and wants to do a lot of this but you've got to consider everybody in the community and I don't think you guys are I mean I spend I I spend a lot of time here I live in Malver Pennsylvania but I spend a lot of time here and I spend more and more and the more I'm learning
the more upset I get because it it just feels like you're not listening to us. Like we talked about the Washington Avenue project. Your answer is, "Well, it came in from the previous mayor," which I understand. He's a personal friend of mine. But you can't just say
things change from year to year. I lived at 15 South Washington for 15 years and I had to move because of the nonsense here. I moved to 22 South Adams. Avenue. I lost $85,000 and I don't care.
Now, that's very sad. At that planning board meeting, their lawyer got up and a couple other people got up and said, "Your property values would never go down." Well, hello. If I had had if I weren't so upset, I would have gotten up
and said, "Look it up on public record because you will find it. 15 South Washington for anybody that wants to look it up." Now, we had as much help with the police as we could, but these teenagers were crazed. In the morning, I had a house next to me that had four
Chihuahua that barked from 7:00 a.m. until the people let them in. At lunchtime, 4 days a week, the trash men put four trash trucks here. And they stay here, go to Wawwa, and hang on South Washington Avenue. In the summer, it smells terrible. My neighbor lives up
where the finance company is. They sit on her steps and eat their lunch. And then at night, I dealt with the teenagers. And they aren't even teenagers. They're middle school kids. I taught middle school kids for 15 years. I understand what they're like. I tried to talk to them. I worked with the
police force. We were trying to come up with some things. And I gave up. And I'm not one that gives up as most of you know. I do not give up because I am here because I want this town to be good. I wanted to be strong. I wanted to be for
us. And that's not happening anymore. At least that's how I feel. And I I feel like e even with the two people against one, nobody cares. You didn't read the survey. You didn't send it out to anybody. And your answer is, well, it's
on the website. How many of the people on the website are over 70 years old in the town are over 70 years old and don't even know about the website or don't even go to it. You've got to consider all those things. And Steve offered he offered I I'll work
with you to poll people for a study to see what they want because you are elected by us to support us to represent us. And I don't feel in the bottom of my heart, I just don't feel that's happening anymore. And it breaks my
heart. >> Thank you, Kathy. >> Jeff Hoffner, 5 South Monroe, full-time residence, Sunrise to Kilibar. I know I think we spoke a few times. >> Were you at my house? I believe inside >> probably. >> So you're right. They were issued a
couple summons the other night. Anyway, >> what are we doing about the noise? >> I mean, >> I can tell you >> I can tell you from a police department's perspective, we have done everything that we are allowed to do by law. We have heard the concerns about public urination. We have had details
not specifically to single out the tequila sunrise bar, but we have instituted details on the weekends to address public urination throughout the bar areas. We have >> I'm just playing about the noise. We have issu but we that was one of the complaints as well but we have issued then this is a probably a low estimate
we have issued at least 8 to 10 minimum uh summones for noise violations we have addressed every concern that we can that's that's allowable and that's within our authority we've had we have worked with the ABC as well to come in and to work with them to do uh checks to
make sure that they're running everything appropriately as far as the noise is concerned within our authority to issue the summones that's what we've done. >> So, what's your 10:00 the limit or what's what's going on? It starts at 9:30, goes to 1:00 a.m.
>> Every time that we go out there, if it's if if it's within a reasonable >> a reasonable level, >> it's up to one of your officers reasonable. If I can hear in my bed and that's not reasonable. >> You're you're correct. But if it's a reasonable level, if the business is operating now, this is
>> the base is going right through the house >> and I understand that that that is not reasonable. But if there's it's just talking and the windows are open, this is I'm talking in the summertime. If the windows are open and >> you can't even have the windows open in the summertime anymore or in the winter on Friday or Saturday nights, you can't either.
>> And that's the thing is that and that's something that is is being addressed, you know, with the windows being closed. But if it's a reasonable amount of sound with the business operating, we try to allow that that business to be able to operate without being very very strict on it. But when you do when you hear the
bass and the music is very loud. Yes, we do issue the summones and >> yeah, last Friday night. Nobody did nothing last Friday night. >> There were summones issued last week >> Friday night. >> Yes. >> N >> I Yes, they were. If you want to do a request, I I can guarantee you that there were issues because we were calling
>> because it was two weeks ago because the offer I spoke to the officer came out. He said, "Uh, it sounds it sounds fine to me. Come out my house." >> There was there were summones issued because I >> And how much are these summons? $500, $510. >> That is up to the judge. Uh the sentencing and the fines is not up to
the police. We issue the summons and the judge will then determine what the appropriate amount is. >> I mean, everybody else cuts the music off at 10:00 >> throughout the whole city. Robert's greenhouse 8:00 in summer. May it's 10. >> Correct. >> Why is this this goes on all night long?
>> It they can go until 10:00. >> That's the issue I'm having. It's after 10:00. And when it's after 10 o'clock, if the noise is unreasonable, the police department issues the summons to serve. >> Yeah. I I just don't think we're getting anywhere with this. I It's going on all summer long. >> Made a video.
>> I have I have time stamp videos. Who do I who do I send that to >> social media? >> You can send it to us if you if you want us to see it, you know, but we won't be able to action on that and issuing the summon it because you weren't there. >> No, we understand that. I understand that.
Just something has to be done. There's really It's crazy. It's okay. Right now during the week it's fine. There's nobody there. If it starts at 9:30, the DJ comes on at 9:30. >> Understood. >> It's It's the base.
>> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jeff. >> Um I just want to Sorry, Kathy Heitzman, 22 South Adams Avenue. At that planning board meeting, the O'Brians who live right next door got up because one of
the one of the um things that they did was they said, "Well, they'll keep the trash inside. They won't leave it out and their driveway is right there." They were wonderful. They had done all the research. They had done everything in
terms of Tequila Sunrise. One of the issues was picking up the trash. Those of you that know, South Monroe Avenue is one way with both sides of the street parking. And I'm bringing this up because of Washington Avenue. So Mrs.
O'Brien said, "Do you know how long it takes for them to pick up the trash? Because if there's an emergency down that street, no one's going to get through because you've got people parked on both sides and you've got a trash can in the center." And the answer
was, "No, we never looked into it." It just blows my mind. And when they finished that meeting, after all of the people that said all of the things that they felt, in fact, I came to the next meeting and spoke individually with uh Mr. Heninson and and and uh fire chief
Adams. They voted six to one to allow. Now, at that meeting, they said 10:00. And what happens is, because I told you, I have friends that live there. The police come, they quiet down, the police go away.
I have friends that said they were at Wawa and they can hear it. Wawa is right here. That's five blocks away. >> Thank you, Kathy. [Laughter] 9704 Ventner Avenue, Alana Alexander.
Just a question, another sore subject. I'm really sorry to bring this up, but just curious, um, have we determined, um, Bag Levo 6 12, what's going on with all of that? I mean, I haven't heard anything talked about or brought up in
the last few meetings. >> So, Solicitor Abbott would be the best source here. I don't know Pat if you have knowledge but my understanding from the previous meetings was the court case begins December 3rd. >> Will that will that take place because I mean I I know
they've been cancelled many many times. >> Again that's not up >> I'll tell you most of the courts are backed up with co so it's not uncommon for things to be postponed right now. >> Well this is I mean that's not that's not a good answer. I have to tell you it's not a good answer. >> Not a good answer but that's >> that's not going to go that's not going to fly. >> It's not our control. It's it's
>> it's not about co >> Yeah. And again, this isn't >> Come on. >> It's not Margate Municipal Court. This is uh this is a case >> superior court. >> Superior court. And we have no control over whether it gets moved, whether it doesn't. >> Does December 3rd sound that ring does
that ring a bell? That's what I kind of recall. >> December 3rd is the date we have. However, Mr. Bag Leo's attorney has indicated that he's starting the Mory small trial and it's likely going to be postponed again.
>> So when will there ever be? Well, no. Will there ever be a conclusion to this? This has been going on for >> I'm not going anywhere till he's >> I'm not directing this to you. I'm directing it. Honestly, I'm directing it
to the mayor. I mean, it's been postponed so many times and it's a fire hazard. There's so much. I don't want to go into everything because everybody on this, everybody sitting here and behind me all knows what's going on. >> We have to come to a conclusion. >> We're still in that position. >> Sorry,
>> Lana. It's not a conclusion. We can come to the court. It's in the court's hands. So, I'd love to to be able to give you better information. >> Why is it always postponed? It's not co Why is it always postponed? Like, why can't we stop this and figure it out? And if it is 12,
do something about it. Everybody knows there's 12. We all people live there. We know it's 12. It's a fire hazard. If God and I live next door, if God forbid something happens, there's so many people that are in danger and it's gone
on too long. >> And again, the it's it's out of our hands. There's nothing we can do about it. >> It's out of your hands. >> It's out of the city's hands. So, whose hands is who >> the superior court judge?
>> Okay. It's really a shame that this can't come to some kind of end. I mean, >> it will. >> Okay. I take your word. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Do we have any more public comment? >> Does Pat have any?
>> Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a couple comments regarding some of the things that were said about myself tonight. Um Pat Moran been the city administrator here since October of last year. Um I
know Mr. Real has stepped up and said a lot of nice or not so nice things about me. Um I think Mr. real um hasn't provided or been totally uh informed of all the
information regarding this issue as he thinks he has. Uh he was on Harry Hurley today. I heard him state make a statement that was not factual and he had to be corrected. Um just want to make sure that everybody
here knows um in reference to previous issues or lawsuits or things of that nature. Um they have insurance companies that settle and those insurance companies that settle the disputes they they do that based on cost
and expediency uh rather than on finding fault. The settlements never include relevant facts or circumstances. Um and Mr. Real knows that. He's been in local government and he also knows that I sit up here as a public figure and I
can't say a word about anything that goes on. You're saying the word right now. >> You're correct. I am. I'm telling you that you're incorrect. >> Dennis settle. >> This isn't a bad. >> No. >> So, so I I would have to ask you, sir. Can Can you please >> This is not Can you please tell me what
the what Pat, this is not a back and forth. If you want to speak and make a statement, you can make a statement. Please don't address anyone in the in the audience. >> So, anyway, with regard to both of those cases, there are circumstances that
obviously you're not aware of. Um like in one case the use of a retalatory comment was made because an employee was suspended for 21 days or 20 days at the
time by an independent hearing officer. There's another instance where I was held as a retaliatory as a police chief investigating an officer who's accused of wrongdoing. as a matter of fact, came in and presented
evidence that he he committed wrongdoing or violation of of another law in another state. Um, again, those are those are some of the facts that don't come out on these settlements you may or may not know of. Um,
just another instance, um, I know you've made a big deal about purchases without approvals, correct? In 2023, there was purchase of a $7,000 couch and chairs for our lobby that was not
approved by anybody. That same person also made $11,000 worth of purchase of benches. >> There there there's there's another one >> that hiring private back and forth. You can hit up after he gets his comments from. So there was also benches that
were purchased in the amount of somewhere around $11,000 um at one point without the approval of anybody. With regard to the inquiry about the private investigator, the private investigator was hired as a
result of a recommendation by our solicitor and within the confines of what I was allowed to do as per his opinion and the QPA's opinion. So,
I checked to make sure that I was allowed to do what I was allowed to do ahead of time. Um, one of the other things you mentioned repeatedly is that there was permission um,
previously from another business administrator that we could go into people's computers. Um, I have an email and I opened it. It's my operable email, Opra email from a for a
former administrator that contradicts that statement as a result of an issue where a supervisor actually went into a computer without permission from a from one of the employees.
And that was sent out to every employee or every department head at least. It's right here. I opened it. So, I don't know any of you folks. I didn't know uh Mr. Mclofflin before I
got here. Um I don't know. >> I don't know who's related to who or who's connected to to who here. I don't go into everybody's past. Um what they were accused of, done, rumored, have done.
Um, that's not my story to tell. Those aren't my stories to tell. Right, Mr. Real? >> I don't know. Mr. Rang, get the And I said, mayor, commissioner, get the dog on a leash. Right, Mr. You are three for three. You've been a BA three times. And all
>> Mr. Rio, you're not at the microphone. You cannot speak from >> You've been a BA three times. And all three times, you've been at the center of a hostile work environment. You can speak after he's finished. >> Are you done?
>> Are you done, sir? >> Oh, am I done? >> Yes. >> Oh, yeah. I'm done. >> Okay. So, as far as FMLA, you're right. >> Can you can you please just state your name for me? >> Vanreal, 6 North Mansfield Avenue. You are correct. I was mistaken on Harry today where I said the employee was
suspended because your filed your whatever you want to call it with Mr. Blay's name on it says it's a request for suspension. And Harry corrected me and I said, "Harry, I'll go with your correction." As far as all the other items that you're talking about, um, you
mentioned, what was it? Accessing an employes's computer. That is the city's computer. The employee, I don't care what your email says. You don't get rid of a CFO because she was pursuing purchasing orders because a subordinate
was out. That is asinine. That is not good management. That's a witch hunt. Okay. So, I will go back again. Commissioner Blumbberg's been here for 18 years, never involved with a hostile work environment. I was here for four years, never involved. You've been three
for three. That's a problem, folks. And you're doing it against a 22-year veteran employee with a stellar reputation. And all I'm telling you, I don't know who you're taking your advice from. I don't know where he came from or who
vetted him, but if I Googled and on the first search found Galloway and Dennis, who the heck vetted him and why did we hire him? Because you don't invite a cancer into your municipality.
And that on any HR person would set off a warning. Two jobs, two hostile work environments. Hm. Do I hire the person? Probably not. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Moran, >> delight speaker.
[Applause] >> My only response to that is my job is to find out what the truth is when when complaints are brought to me. >> Mr. Blber's on the record said you need to do your job accurate. >> Come on. So my job is to look into things when
people bring them to me. Not to find out that somebody did something wrong or to find something that they didn't do right. My job is to find out nearest the truth. I've done that here and that's that.
>> Is there a motion to close public comment? >> 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. >> Enjoy your evening everybody. >> Scott said the audio. But I'm the guys from Atlanta City Police