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. So 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, will you take the role, please? >> Mayor Collins, >> here. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> I am here.
>> Commissioner Horn here. >> Welcome everybody. Uh Ed, we will begin with the engineering report, please. >> Thank you, mayor. Good evening, everyone. Uh I'm just going to touch on the projects that have updates on my report tonight. So, starting off with item A, which is our citywide dredging project. Uh there has been some private
uh property dredging happening over the last month or so. The uh window for dredging um will be ending on March 1st um and then it'll open back up on June 30th. The update on this is we do have some followup paperwork we need to do with the Bureau of Thailands related to
our dredging project. So, we're just submitting some updated application information to them. Um, so that's our update on dredging. Jumping down to item E, the Veterary Avenue parking lot. Uh, we did rebid that project and we did receive one bid. The bid was over the uh engineers estimate. So, we're taking a
look at the bid that came in and we will also have the opportunity, if we so choose, to negotiate directly with contractors now that we've bid the project twice. Um, so we're just going to evaluate where we landed with some of those numbers and, uh, we could discuss how we want to proceed with that project.
Turning the page, uh, just a couple updates. The lead service line replacement project um continues to be in progress and we are working on some updates to the city's website for the lead service line section. So, we continue with our public outreach
efforts. At the same time, we've started our work and uh on phase two of the lead service line replacement project. The reason for that is the city qualifies for more or less grant money every fiscal year through the iBA and we want to make sure we capitalize on that grant
money each fiscal year. So, we have a timeline that we need to hit in order to secure that funding. So, we're working on getting phase two um out to bid and awarded before that deadline so we can secure that. Um it's a million dollars in grant funding uh for this project. Um
item K is the local recreation improvement grant which was submitted to the DCA uh for a shade structure. Jumping down to our construction projects. Uh on page three, uh the uh Atlantic Avenue um project from Huntington to
Mansfield is is now in progress. Well 10 also in progress and our 2025 road program, the contractor is putting the schedule together for that work. And those are my updates for this week. >> Great. Thank you, Ed. >> We'll now go to our department head
reports. Uh Chief Adams, would you like to begin, please? Thank you, mayor and commissioners. Um, just a couple things. One, uh, the fire department is actually in the process of starting our annual, uh, SCBA fit testing, uh, today, actually. But we do
this in coordination with Vetner and Longport, so we can share the cost of renting the machine versus us renting it ourselves. So, we rent it for a month, we share the cost evenly amongst the three communities, and it does save us a little money. Um, we're also in the
process of starting our annual or I should say specifically our required annual training of different things that we have to cover. Um, we are working on that. Um, I do want to say thankfully we finally got a little slow up with our
water leaks and um, between the fire department, public works and and everybody involved, it's been a really long month of water leaks and damage to property. And I can't stress it enough, and those who have been at the meetings on a regular basis, I say it every month
at every meeting about making sure that you have the water shut down to your property to asssure that you're not going to freeze up. The amount of damage that we've seen this year far exceeds any other year that we've had water damage to homes. And it's stuff, a lot
of that could have been prevented with just some normal maintenance that could have been done to prevent it. So, I will say that um looking at this weekend, we are looking at potentially 1 to three inches of snow Sunday night into Monday.
That's still a very questionable area. Once we get additional reports, we'll be sure to get them out to everybody because it could change. The storm shifts a little and does something, we could have a change and who knows what the outcome could be. But, we will stay on top of that and make sure that we get that out on our social media platforms.
One last thing, it's kind of a housekeeping issue with our GIF and I'll be working with um Johanna to take care of this. We missed um taking care of I missed taking care of our uh clean position and doing a resolution for it.
So, with your approval, we'll have it on the next agenda for the March meeting so we can make that appointment and make sure that's in place so we're in compliance with everything for the J. Okay. >> And that's all I have. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you, Chief Dominic.
Um, we've been pretty busy with calls. As uh, Chief Adam said, uh, we we probably received well over 200 calls in the past two weeks. It's pretty it's been pretty crazy. Uh, majority of them being water leaks, uh, that us and the fire department have handled. Um, we've
had like five water repairs in the street in the past two weeks and we've been prepping for our snow. So, getting ready, maybe getting some, uh, see see if it's coming or not. But, uh, as Chief Adam said, this has been probably the
coldest winter we've had. Uh, maybe opening some eyes about winterizing people's houses that aren't going to be around, so hopefully there's uh, less damage next year. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you, Palma. >> Good evening, mayor and commissioners.
Um, the building department continues to receive fire department reports on all of these water leaks. We've been reviewing each one of them to see if any follow-up is needed on our end. And if it is, we'll notify the property owner
by mail to explain what may be required. And that would be either permits, a certification from either an electrician, plumber, or sometimes the fire suppression system or inspections. Um, so we kind of review each one to see
what it would require. I'd also like to thank the fire and public works departments for their continued efforts on these incidents. I can't believe how many there have been. It has to be a record, but That's all that I have.
>> Great. Thank you. Roger. >> Thank you, mayor, commissioners. Uh there's a planning board meeting next week. We have four cases. Uh nothing extraordinary, no sight plan, just uh one of the day variances. Our ice cream vending contract will be advertised
within a week or two. It'll be for a one-year contract. So, next year it'll expire with the iced coffee contract. and we'll advertise those together congruently as separate contracts next year for a two-year contract probably. And also the flood damage prevention
ordinance. We're working on updating that to reflect the new state's requirement uh of BFE plus 4 plus another foot on top of that. And again, most of the homes that have the parking below will comply with the new state regulations, but we have to look at the
other uh items that the state is actually changing the base flood from FEMA. And your flood insurance is still going to be based on the FEMA maps, but your your rating will be based on your first floor elevation, which be much higher from the state. And
uh I'm working with some other towns also to make sure we're all kind of on the same page. And as you might be aware, there's three or four counties that are suing the state over these new rules and regulations, which basically I I would support that litigation. It was
not done by ex it was done by executive order versus legislature approval, but I don't want to go too much further into the weeds in that, but uh that's it for tonight. >> Great. Thank you, Roger. You're welcome, Pat. >> Good evening. Um my report uh for the last couple weeks has been uh met with
uh our engineer regarding possible upcoming projects, proposals. Um recently met with a transportation type of company for summer suggestions for some additional possibilities to to move people around during the summertime. Um I've been in negotiations with all three
major unions, the PBA, the FMA, and the MCA. Um, I'll be giving an update on that later in close session. Um, we had some uh insurance related matters that I spoke with uh Mr. Barker about. Um, he
he may be showing up here shortly. um met with labor council solicitor regarding personnel issues, legal issues, and uh we're continuing our efforts to update our city website, make sure that we get our most up-to-date information and um updates with our u
with our website out there. Uh I'd also like to introduce uh Mr. Blay. He's filling in for uh Mr. Abbott who's not available um for now. Um but um he will be available uh via telephone if we needed him.
>> Great. Thank you, Joanna. >> Uh there's not much going on in the clerk's office right now. We're still receiving merkantail license applications and dog licenses are available for those people who have dogs
in the city of Margate. And I would like everyone to know that we are now going to be posting our legal advertisements on our website. There is a link on the front page that you will be able to go right to what the legal
ads are. That's it. >> Great. Thank you. I'd now like to call uh Rich Tullson up just to say a few words. Rich is the chairman of our citizens advisory committee. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor and commissioners. I don't come here tonight on behalf of the citizens advisory committee. I come
here on behalf of the Margate Community Church to personally thank the city leadership and all the department heads um for your expertise, your support, your cooperation a couple weeks ago um when we almost lost that steeple. Um so
um we got it contained. Um we identified the problem. George Thomas Roofing and sheet metal was on the site Saturday. Uh the police and fire department was there Saturday. Uh taped the entire grounds off to make sure nobody entered it. Um
we stayed Well, be honest with you, Chief, I went in the building, but we had to see what the problem was. So, we got up in there. There's access through the um at the main entrance um of the church. Um and that's 18 ft in
the air. Um but they got up in there sat was wrong. Um it was bolts, loose bolts. Um, I got a text at about 12:30 Saturday afternoon at home that our musical director was at the church and he said the spire was making a lot of noise. And
I said, 'Well, it's gusting at 60 m an hour. I bet it is. Then he sent me a video and I said, "Well, that shouldn't be happening." So, um, we identified the problem, but the help of the fire department, the police department, certainly the building department, and the cooperation of the city, um, as
we've told you privately, I now tell you publicly in front of the city and for the record, we are very grateful for your service and professional cooperation. So, thank you. Great. Thank you, Rich. Now, like to open up public comment. If anyone has any comment for any items
discussed in this meeting, please step forward. Dennis Gioski, 7702 Amhurst Avenue. Going to ask again, Mr. um Ed Dennis, um cost for this dredging project. >> We don't have a a budget for the first
phase of the project yet. for okay this is I don't we I see ordinance are passed things that you have and we have estimates and we don't have an estimate on on dredging what's going to cost the people of Margate for this dredging project and
you're already getting permits and everything and there's a dredging's been done already at the used to be the swift marina and you're telling me you have no idea what it's going to cost the people in Margate at this point >> so Dennis that that dredging is done by private owners. I understand
>> the city dredging. So the process with the city dredging is we we received our permit. We now will go out to bid. Once we get once we go out to bid, we'll have a better understanding of what the project will cost. >> We we also need to define what phase one's going to be. I mean, we haven't defined that yet. So >> last meetings here, Mr. Abbott was
talking about going to the person who bought the marina who's doing the dredging to get a cost estimate from him. No one has done that. I take it correct. >> That's not part of our process. >> Okay. Not a part of your process. Okay. um financial reports. We haven't had one
since November. I made a statement back in November that we did not have one and now we're into the end of the February and still don't have one. So where does that come from? No one. Because any ordinance that you pass there has to be an impact report done by the chief
financial officer and you're passing bonds and all that without giving the what the repercussion is going to be against you know these bonds towards the people of Margate >> all that Leon Costello when he came a couple weeks ago kind of discussed the
entire impact of the bonding and everything. Um >> no that was not it's >> that was the entire purpose of his his meeting to discuss the bonding and and the impact on future budgets. Um so as far as any individual reports I know uh Pat is working with the finance
department on the the budget because we're preparation >> November we have not had one you you so that's all right as the mayor of Margate >> I am not the commissioner of finance. >> No that's not you're the mayor of Margate city. You have two
commissioners. You know, we've not had a report since November. >> And and when you asked this last time, I said we should and we we still don't. But I'm not in charge of those employees, Dennis. >> Okay. Mr. R, you're the business administrator. Is there anyone that you can get in touch with to give us a
report? So, it's going on >> because you're passing bonds for different things and we're not getting anything what the impact's going to be. >> Yeah. I I need your reports. >> Okay. I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dennis. Any other public comment on workshop?
Is there a motion to close? Public comment on workshop. >> Mike, before we close, um, is can we just get an update? There's a couple of traffic lights that are out on Atlantic Avenue and I don't know if they're a result of the contractor that was
working there or um you know what the when were is somebody working on getting those fixed. >> I mean the only thing I know is the one traffic light was found by the fire department when they were responding
returning from a call. They called it into the police department and they were unaware that the light was out and I think that was on Saturday that they called that in to report it, but that's the only thing I'm aware of. But it was Saturday, but it was out in all four directions. There was no power to it whatsoever.
>> Tom, does Mike Mack still look at those for us? >> Mike Mack does. Yeah, I Everything was marked out. Um I'm not You'd have to ask Pat to get a little little more detail situation. Yeah, if if we could cuz like I said there's two out in a row on
Atlantic I think right at like Lancaster and maybe Mansfield. Those two >> I think it was Mansfield Fire Department. >> Okay. >> May May have to do with the construction out there. >> And that's what I thought but >> All right. Good. Good. Good. Great. Thank you. >> All right. Is there a motion to close
public comment on workshops? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbber? >> 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 >> momentarily. Okay. >> 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 star ledger 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 electronic devices. >> 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. >> Is there a motion for the approval of the February 5th, 2026 regular and workshop meeting minutes?
>> Motion. >> Second. Mayor Collins, >> yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> Before we open up public comment on resolutions, I just want to um introduce Ed Dixon. Uh if anyone remembers from a
couple meetings ago, Ed came to to ask the city if we would consider uh dedicating uh the month of August to our veterans. And after uh you know, discussing it over, we agreed to do it. Uh we were going to put this on the agenda last meeting, but we wanted Ed to
be present. Um and again, you know, Ed was here a couple meetings ago, but Ed is a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and the VFW in Washington Township, and he's also a member of the American Legion in Ocean City. And um I just want to thank you for bringing this
to us and we look forward to uh you know, celebrating August uh for our veterans. But I'd like to hand the floor off to you. Thank you for that introduction. Uh, I was looking forward to seeing all of you again and I'm happy that Mayor
Michael Collins and this council agreed to dedicate the month of August to our military veterans, men and women. I am fortunate to meet such people who care so much about our military veterans.
This resolution all of you approved of is a great tribute to them as the military enabled all Americans to celebrate 250 years of our freedom. This
upcoming July 4th is a tribute historic and uh historic anniversary and memorable occasion. I am striving to have this dedication printed on every calendar across our great country.
They deserve this celebration each year and with the help of Congressman Jeff Van Drew and the House of Representatives that it will come in the to fruition. Uh he did say that it would take some time and just to be a little bit
patient. So, thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, and may God bless you all. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for your service. >> All right. So, I now like to open up public comment to for resolutions and ordinance adoption. So, if anyone has
any comments on the items on today's agenda, please step forward. Hi, Sher Lillianfeld, 7809 Wellington Avenue. Um, I just want some clarification on one ordinance
number two about alcoholic beverages cuz from the title can't tell what it is. And then Ed, maybe you can tell us about the lead lines that are going to be replaced. That's ordinance number
53. Just again, I know I got the letter about the lead and they came to the house. I just don't know is it like citywide like what is the depth of the lead lines that are being replaced? So, ordinance number two on the alcohol beverages.
>> So, ordinance number two is disc it's an increase in the wages for the licenses for the fees. So, that's all that that does. It's just us um you know adjusting those those numbers for the annual fees. And then Ed on uh lead service, you can jump in. It's this is really just a
continuation of the project. Ed mentioned this last week, but I'll let you take the floor. >> Yeah, I mean really that's what it is. And Sher, you can go on the city's uh website and you can go on there and see what locations are included in the first phase. Um this is actually for the second phase. Um and that'll be added to the website soon. It's just the next
area of town really is what it is. >> Yeah. >> Is it I mean I know it could go on the website too. Is it like all through town? Is it do we find that there's lead service like all throughout Margate that's being replaced in general? Roughly >> in general we have to investigate all
around town because there's a lot of lines that we don't know exactly what the pipe material is. >> So that's part of this project. >> Okay. That means all the streets are going to get ripped up right >> at some point. It's it's city-wide project. >> No. And I mean I'm all for replacing the
lead pipe. So I mean it's all for good. I just Okay. Um, so there's no increase in the number of um of um liquor licenses or anything. >> There's not. >> We don't have the ability to do that. >> Okay. Do we know how many we have in the city? No,
>> there are 18. >> 18 >> liquor license. Some are consumption and some are retail. >> But it's 18. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. >> Do we have any other comment on the items on tonight'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
ordinance number two of 2026, an ordinance amending chapter 67, alcohol beverages 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 the adoption of ordinance number three of 2026, bond ordinance appropriating $4,200,000 and authorizing the issuance of
$4,200,000 in school bonds and notes of the city of Margate for various school improvements or purpose authorized to be undertaken by the city of Margate, New Jersey. Motion >> second.
>> Mayor Collins, >> yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> May I have a motion for resolution number 50, 2026, authorizing bill payment and claims? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> May I have a motion for resolution number 51 2026 authorizing payment to Kmar Home Center? Motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins, >> I abstain.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> May I have a motion for resolution number 45, 2026, a resolution designating the month of August as veterans resign resation
month >> in the city of Margate? Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. May I have a motion for the consent agenda which consists of resolution number 52 2026
through resolution number 54 2026. >> Motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> And Ed, I just want to again congratulate you and thank you for
coming as it's now official that we will uh be recognizing our veterans for the entire month of August. So, thank you. >> All right, we will now open up public comment. If anyone has any comment, please step forward. >> Steven Alman, 9003 Emmer Stabum Margate
have a little confession to make. I'm a card carrying biblop file. I went to the my first library at uh Granville Avenue School and I was uh blessed with uh being able to go to the Carnegie Library
in Atlantic City whenever I had to do research, American University Library of 30,000 volumes back in 1968. And when we didn't have a book that I needed, I was able to go to the um
library of Congress and sit in the great uh chamber and ask for a book that would be brought to me and I could research it. And then I came back to Bargate and I discovered a library that is
absolutely spectacular. We have a marvelous library with a lot of different programs and a great staff. I presented to each one of the commissioners a copy of a report that I sort of remembered from 2005.
Uh believe Mayor Rio was mayor at that time. And uh this was a study that was done by a fairly blue ribbon um group of Margations and a a consulting group that
really did a remarkable job in analyzing all of Margates buildings. Uh they made a lot of suggestions. Uh nothing really happened until the firefighters union made a presentation
here in this chamber. uh expressing how dismal their facilities were here and at fire station 2. And then we had a little thing called Storm Sandy which progressed in getting some of the
recommendations in this uh report um into fruition. But I have to say that I remembered, but I went to the library and um they were remarkable in being
able to do research for me to find this document which I then asked them to make some copies for me and for the advisory board which I'll hand out on Monday. And they were they're just remarkable people
at our library. And if you've got a kid or a grandkid whose face is buried in a telephone or a computer, get them over to the library. I mean, even starting as babies, they have storytelling for babies. It's just amazing. And, uh, it's
underutilized, I can tell you, in the winter. Uh, it's a great place to go for films, for music besides books. So I I I'm really not presenting this to you guys.
I'm just using as an example to tell us all what a great great library and a marvelous staff that we have at our library. And I encourage everybody to spread the word to get over there and see how you can utilize it. Lot of
research material on Margate if you're interested. Thank you. >> Thank you, Steve. Do we have any more public comment? Is >> there a motion to close public comment? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins? >> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbber? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn? >> Yes. >> May I now have a motion for resolution number 55206 declaring close session? >> Motion. >> Second. Mayor Collins, yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> May I now ask everyone to leave? You will be invited back when this is over. At this time, we will be discussing contracts and possible litigation.
>> Thank you everybody. You don't need Can we have a motion to come out of close session? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn? >> Yes.
>> May we have a synopsis of close session? It was covered by attorney client privilege. That's that's all of them indicated at this junction. >> Thank you. >> Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> Thank you everybody. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thanks. I think.