I'd like to call the meeting to order. Johanna, >> I can't get in. >> 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 Bolton board in the municipal building, the municipal website, and filed in the office of the municipal clerk. Please turn off all cell phones. >> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance.
>> Attention salute 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,
Mayor Collins, >> I don't think he's on. Oh, there he is. >> He's here on speaker or on our Zoom meeting. Commissioner Blumbberg, >> I am here. >> Commissioner Horn, >> here.
Can we hear that? >> We will begin with our engineering report, Ed. >> Okay. Thank you, Commissioner. [clears throat] Good evening, everyone. I'm going to um flip the order here. We have a presentation tonight for the uh new proposed public works building. I'll do that after my uh regular engineering
report. I'll move through my engineering report uh pretty briskly. I'll only cover updates and so we can get into the presentation on the building. So, first item is our citywide dredging program. We've been discussing this at the last couple meetings. We have received our permit from D. Our permit from Army
Corps is pending. Um they're just reviewing the D requirements so they can sync everything up. The D did um make a minor error in the permit that they issued related to the depth of dredging and they're going to correct that um error through an administrative process. So there won't be a long wait time or
anything like that. They indicate that they're ready to issue the amended permit. Once we have that amended permit um then we can you know it's publicly available document. Um and and as I've mentioned at past meetings, we will have a public outreach process for the the dredging program um on what property
owners can do now to avail themselves of that permit and what our general plan is going forward. So, um we continue to make uh good progress on that front. Um jumping down to item D, the new public works building. As I mentioned, we will be having a discussion on that after my
report. And again, I'm just uh jumping to projects that have updates. So turning over to page two, uh we have a few new projects on the list. Um as well as the redevelopment of well 10, which the bid opening is scheduled for December 11th. Uh the watershed
improvement plan, which is an MS4 compliance item is in process. Our lead service line um additional public outreach program is also in process and there'll be more to come on that at future meetings and we'll we'll have a separate public forum uh for that project. So, that'll be a coming
attraction that I'll share more information as as we get closer. The Bloom Pavilion deck renovations, uh, we've started the design process on that. We've discussed that at past meetings um to repair those the deck there so we can regain usage of that area, the Bloom Pavilion.
Jumping down to our construction projects, Thurlo Avenue, we anticipate the repaving of that road. Um, we it's done. So, we've anticipated and it's complete. Um so so that's good. Uh the Washington Avenue project has started
construction. We had a public pre-construction meeting on um Monday the 24th uh that was fairly well attended. We covered um the phasing of that project with the first phase from the beach block to Venner Avenue and the
second phase um from Ver uh Venner Avenue to Amherst Avenue which would start next fall. Um so we went over that project in detail. Uh we answered some questions, shared a lot of information. There's a fact sheet that's publicly available and there'll be more information to come as we um as we have more information on detours and things
like that. So that I think that was a successful meeting. Our Winchester Avenue project is in the punch list phase. Uh 2024 road program. Construction's in progress and that really does cover uh the updates on my engineering report. So um does anyone
have any questions before we move on to the public works building? >> No. Okay, great. Okay. So, um we are happy to present some information to the commissioners as well as the public on a new public works building project.
You've heard um me report on this project intermittently um over the course of the year. Um I'm here tonight with Bill Mccles who is our architect on the project as well as Joe Johnston from my office who is the project manager. Um
what we'd like to do tonight is to just give an overview of the proposed building design as it stands today. Um and Bill Bill will kind of walk us through that. And then after Bill kind of takes us through the building um I'll just cover some value engineering items
that we've reviewed um as possible ways to um reduce cost, construction costs, and kind of where we landed on those items just so everyone understands that kind of the evaluation that was done u from a cost standpoint. And then of course we would open it up for any comments, questions um that you may have
on the building as proposed. So with your permission, I'd >> like to introduce Bill to um take us through the building. >> Sure. >> I'm You already got it on. Great. All right. Thank you, uh ladies and
gentlemen. Uh my name is William Mccle from William Cleleas Architecture office is located in Summers Point, New Jersey. We had the opportunity and pleasure to work with Remington Vernick on the building to replace the public works facilities that are located at MT and Benson avenues uh in Margate. Obviously,
the original buildings, as I'm sure you're probably aware, aging masonry buildings that were beyond their useful life. There was, I believe, some environmental issues that were there as well, old tanks and whatnot. All that has been remediated, cleaned up, demolished. Uh
and so now we're on to de designing the new building. So the new building itself has been configured in an L-shape. Um just to kind of orient you, we have Benson Avenue running along the bottom of the page here and Mammoth is running along the left hand side of the page. Um
the structure is a twotory uh masonry and steel structure. It's configured with um nine total garage bays at the first floor um to facilitate the equipment, vehicles, tools, so forth. Um
four of those, sorry, three of those bays are actually drive-through bay, so you'll be able to pull in off of Mona and trucks be able to continue through to the service yard that is existing. Um the structure, I guess, as I mentioned, is is a two-story structure. So all the
offices, locker room space, training rooms, etc. are situated at the second floor. Um, and then off to the right hand side, you'll see here small little storage area, uh, as well as structure to support what is going to be an
emergency generator of the second floor. Um, just to flip this over and go over the second floor spaces with you. again oriented the same Benson along the bottom mammoth along the left hand side you'll see those offices situated here
kind of fronting or oriented along Mammoth Avenue um and they include obviously director's office waiting reception area uh the training room which I'd spoken of and lockers and restrooms and a break room there's a large area along here that you see in
green is a storage space so that's bulk storage again of tools equipment etc Um, and then you have, you know, stairs taking you down to the yard. You see the emergency generator area, stairs in the corner for fire safety in this corner as
well. And, um, two elevators servicing the building. In terms of the look in the feel, um, we prepared a rendering. Um, what you see here, this is a view standing on the corner of Benson and Mammoth. So, this is again Benson
Avenue. You see the water tower, Mammoth Avenue running off here to the left hand side. These are the drive-thru bays that you see that would be accessed off of Mammoth. And the majority of the garage bays would be accessed off of the yard itself. The building's kind of been
configured in that L to kind of frame the the service yard, which also kind of provides an opportunity to to screen and buffer some of the noise activity from that yard from surrounding spaces. So, you know, a good public face to the street frontage and obviously providing
the space that public works needs um to do their job and serve the community. Uh total building size I think we have is currently just under 13,000 square feet. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Bill. Um I just want to know we work very closely with the public works department during the design
process. Um a lot of effort went into what Bill just presented in three minutes. Um but um I just wanted to cover a few key points that we considered from a cost standpoint. When we finalized our design, or I shouldn't say fin when we arrived at uh our substantial completion point, the
estimated uh construction cost for this building is about $10.4 million. Um and at that point in time, we paused and we took a look at a couple options on how we might be able to bring that cost down. There were two main options that we considered along with some other secondary options. The first and most
obvious option would be to reduce the overall square footage of the building, right? And that just comes down to how much space do we need, what functionality do we need, what features do we need in the building. Just a couple key points to note. Bill just mentioned the overall square footage. It's about 12,700
square ft total, first floor and second floor. If we take a look at our existing public works facilities that we have now, our existing public works buildings. The existing public works building right now is about 6,900 square ft on one floor and we previously had two other buildings that totaled about
5,800 ft. So we had three buildings in total. Uh and those three those three buildings in total added up to about 12,700 ft² which is about the same square footage that we have in this one consolidated building. Um,
with this building, uh, we do have, you know, some additional areas, some additional storage. Um, there is, uh, a new women's, uh, shower and locker room, men's shower, training room, deputy director's office, break room. These are added features, added spaces that we don't have now. Um, all fitting within
really the the combined existing footprint of our existing public works buildings if you include the two um, that were previous demolished. So, just to get you a feel for this space, how big it is, how much space we need, and obviously Pat could speak to more of the operations. Um, taking a look at all of
that, uh, the decision was made that this is the square footage and space that that the public works needs to operate. So, we didn't wholesale go in and make drastic changes to reduce, uh, the footprint of the building or the square footage of the building in order to reduce the costs. Next thing we
looked at which is really a big ticket item um which doesn't really jump out to you when you when you look at this building is this building has been been designed as an essential facility. The city of Margate currently doesn't have a building that's been designed to those standards and those standards are meant
to provide functionality um during emergency situations um with added resiliency. Um, if we were to make a design decision to not design this building to that standard, there would be almost almost a domino effect of items that we could then reexamine from
a cost standpoint. Um, that would, you know, involve the structural, you know, capacity of the building, flood elevations, um, flood proofing, uh, you know, different items that fall into that category of essential facility. And
because uh the city of of Margate generally has a goal to become more resilient um and because we don't have another building within the city that meets these standards, the decision was made that it would be the most prudent um course of action to keep with that standard um to keep this as an essential
facility. And so we did not elect at this point in time um to change the design of this building to a non-essential facility which would then allow us to examine other potential cost savings. And then there were some other secondary items that that I that we
considered as part of potential value engineering. Um some of which we are recommending that we do make revisions on. The first is Bill pointed out a large uh storage space on the second floor. The original design or the current design I should say has a uh
freight elevator that would help with you know moving materials and items um into that storage space. Uh, one item we considered was to eliminate that freight elevator and just replace it um with an exterior rollup door that we could use a forklift to uh take material in and out
of that space. That is an item that we believe we can orision a revision that we can make um to save on cost. Uh there was consideration of um the raised generator platform. So there's an emergency backup generator proposed for this new building. Um, one one item that
would help us reduce cost is if that item didn't need to be 10 feet off the ground. Um, but because we are keeping the essential facility designation, uh, we are required to meet that um, elevation. So that item um that that generator platform item is is will
remain as is. Um, at least that's the direction that we're heading in. Another item that we consider would be to relocate the mechanical room. without getting into the weeds of it. Um there's just a more cost-effective way uh to re to locate that mechanical room has a couple other uh effects such as you know
reducing the length of utility runs, things like that. So we uh we are proposing to make that revision. It'll just be a more cost effective design um and will result in some savings. Uh likewise, there's a minor item of deleting some roof drains and overflow drains. That is an item that we believe
we can um proceed with to allow for some cost savings. couple items were related to the HVAC system. And again, without getting into the weeds on the technical side of it, um there's a there's there's a different system that we could use that's not as as um common for these
types of buildings. Um but that would potentially result in some construction cost savings. Um if we went in that direction, we would lose um some of the functionality such as humidity control, things like that. Um and it would also um potentially cost a little more to
operate. The system that we're proposing now is a little more energy efficient. Um so because of that um we are electing at this point in time uh not to change over to a different type of HVAC C system and to stick with the commercial uh more common system for these types of
buildings. And then um you know the other piece of this would be there are certain architectural elements to the building as you could see in the rendering that we could play with and potentially uh find some cost savings there. Uh but the
the decision was made um that that the design that you see and the the appearance that you see uh is appropriate for the surrounding neighborhood. So at this point in time uh we're not proposing to make any major changes to the architectural elements of the building um in order to reduce cost.
So, with that summary and with all that said, and I'm happy to answer questions or provide more detail on some of the items I covered, uh, we estimate um that we have about, you know, about a half a million dollars in savings uh out of the items that I, uh, outline. These are cost estimates. Um, of course, there's
always cost escalation. Um, and so, uh, but we do feel like we did, um, go through go through the design, go through a proper value engineering process, identify some items that we thought were appropriate. um to implement without losing the functionality that the public works
department needs to operate on a day-to-day basis. And so we just wanted to present the building, present the design, um kind of walk everyone through the process that we went through from a cost standpoint and a value engineering standpoint. Um since I've been commenting on it for months without
really providing all that detail. So um I'll leave it there and if anyone has any questions or comments, we're happy to address them. or Pat, I don't know if you want to comment. Um, >> yeah, at the end of the day, if this does pass, >> you're like, >> at the end of the day, when this
hopefully this passes, uh, soon, but, uh, you're also going to be eliminating the flood insurance is 14,000 a year right now on that building that we're in. And with the new building, you're going to cut it about 70% they they average. And um right now, you know, you also
got, you know, millions of dollars of equipment sitting outside after we knocked the other building down a couple years ago. So that's another thing. We'll get most of that equipment inside with this new facility. And also, you're you're getting rid of three buildings. So now we go into one, you're going to
have open space along the Winchester Avenue side of fence in there. Probably maybe a playground or whatever you guys want to do with it. But the other where the electrical and carpenter shop at, you're going to have uh hopefully public parking once that building comes down. So now you might open up probably 20 30
spots. So you're gaining some things too at the same time. >> And that's all I got on the building right right now. >> Thanks Pat. >> Do you have questions? >> So uh thank you Ed. Um,
Bill Joe, I know that we've been talking about upgrading this facility for five or 6 years at least, and I understand all the hard work that's gone into what looks to be like a beautiful design. Um,
but I the concern that I have is that we haven't given the public ample time to gain support for the project and present it to them being that
Tuesday we see, you know, is the first time that I that I saw this ordinance and understanding that it's a huge undertaking for the city of Margate. 11. We've got 11 million in these two ordinances. So, so what I would suggest
is that um that we should consider uh our business administrator and my fellow commissioners should consider bifurcating these two ordinances. Let's split out the public works portion and
give the public an opportunity to see this p presentation, understand what we're trying to do here, understand the benefits to the city of Margate and to the public works department, and then uh
move forward with uh separate ordinances to um continue on with the project. So, uh, you know, the only thing that I'm looking for again is to gain, uh, full public support so that they they
understand what we're doing and that they have time to know. This is the first today is the first day that we've announced uh, the value and and it's $11 million. that probably doesn't include some other costs, furniture that we might need,
what whatever it might be, any changes, but we we should um give the public an opportunity. We should be transparent. let them digest it, put it up on the website, do another couple of public presentations, and then move forward
with either this project as its design and or as Ed suggests, maybe there's some savings that we can uh all agree to because for me, in 18 years, this is the largest thing that we've ever undertook
and I don't think it's doing it justice. this to put it on today and vote on it in two weeks. So my suggestion is that we bifurcate those two capital ordinances and uh postpone
the public works portion till a later date. >> Commissioner Blumberg, I think we could do both. I think we can move along with the process as it is and still open it to the public. Maybe Ed, would you mind
holding something here? We'll advertise it. People can come out if they have questions. Um, also we could get out if any of the public wants to email any of us. Um,
we can return emails, phone calls. Um, I would gladly pass them on to you and give them your information in return. Um, would you be opposed to that? It's still I No, I'm not. But it's still then only a two week process. It's tonight
and then we vote on the capital ordinance in two weeks. It's just for me it's not enough time. >> Especially with 80% of our taxpayers, you know, not even in town, you know, they're they're somewhere else, you
know. So >> hopefully they're listening Zoom, >> right? It would depend on the day. I mean, you know, I can make myself available for a presentation. Sure. >> Okay. Uh Pat, can you arrange something touch base with Ed?
>> Sure. >> You mind if I >> No, please. >> I have uh I just what I understand what you're saying, but I mean just we've been talking about this for like 10 years almost now, >> right? >> You know, I think [clears throat] when Eddie first came over and Bill >> 16
>> 16, right? Yeah. So, we're talking at a that was a $6 million project there. >> Now, we just kicking this down the curve. Now, it's almost $11 million. I mean, we keep kicking down. Now, it's going to be 15. >> And I say my >> I'm not interested in kicking cans down
the road. I'm interested in doing right by the public so that they can't come back and say, "Well, we didn't know after we vote on uh, you know, an 11 million project." And and if the public anybody in the
public would ever want to take a tour of the building that we have now, it's there. We're always there. >> Again, there's no question that we need a better facility. >> None. None whatsoever. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Should we move on to department
heads reports? Should we Let's start with Chief Adams. >> Thank you, commissioners. Um, I just want to start off with um a reminder that we have some fire safety information up here on the wall. Uh,
talking about Christmas tree safety and winter holiday safety. I know a lot of people are decorating and preparing for the holidays. Just make sure you're doing it safely and properly and using approved lights, etc. Um, it is getting cold out as we noticed the last couple
days we we hit some cold temperatures. I just want to remind our residents to make sure they turn off and drain their outside water to asssure that we don't have problems. Uh, a lot of people miss this before the the cold starts and we end up having problems and it actually
does cause some severe damage to your home. So, we just want to remind our residents of that. Um, I want to thank the MBA and everyone who participated in Margate's shop small parade last Saturday. All of Margate city departments were present and everybody
helped out to asssure that the parade went off without a hitch. And to thank you to all our businesses who participated, especially Bokeh who hosted the visit with Santa. And for those of you looking for something to do this weekend, uh I know the city of Margate will be participating in the
Vetner city holiday parade on Saturday, December 6th, starting at 5:00 p.m. Uh parade runs from New Haven Avenue to Nashville Avenue. And there's plenty of events and activities for you and your family. So, if you have time and you're looking for something to do, come on out
and join the events and the festivities. And just to echo something, you know, for the public works building, um, I deal with all the inspection of all the city buildings. And I have to say that the conditions that the public works department deals with day in and day out
are really deplorable. And [snorts] this is something we've been talking about since Sandy hit. And the damage to the building has been there since Sandy. And they really do need this building. And they really do need to move forward to assure that it happens. And that's, you
know, I mean, like Pat said, it's only going to cost more the longer we wait and the longer we push it down the road. But, and if anybody wants to see it, Pat offered go take a look and see what conditions they're dealing with. And the two buildings he talked about bringing down, the carpenter shop and the
electric shop, they probably should have been brought down many years ago and we're still operating in them because we don't have a choice. It's what we have and what we have to deal with. So, please take the effort, contact public works, come out and see the facilities, see what they have, and show your
support. They need these buildings more than anybody. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chief Chief Henson. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. I'll be brief. Just a few things. First, I wanted to remind everybody that on Friday, December 12th from 6:00 to 8:00
p.m., we'll be holding our Winter Wonderland toy drive event at the Sig Rim Complex. The entrance is right off Huntington Avenue. It's a great event during the holiday season. You know, bring the kids out, bring your families out. We have vendors. It's a really It It's grown over the years, and it's
really for a good cause. So, I really hope that people will come out for this event. Second, I mentioned it last week, last meeting, there is an ebike information for parents um online uh class. It's on Thursday, December 10th
from 8 to 8:45 p.m. It's sponsored by the New Jersey Division of Highway and Traffic Safety. If you go on the police department's Facebook page, you can register for it. Again, it's it's really good. body gets a lot of information about ebikes, especially for parents and especially around this time of year when you're buying presents, you kind of know
what you're buying because sometimes you can get buyer remorse, especially when you buy some of the these items like the ebikes. Lastly, because we're getting into the holiday season, just a reminder to everybody, if you're getting packages to deliver to your house and you're not going to be home, maybe have a neighbor
bring it in so we can kind of thwart people that might take packages off your off your porch during the holiday season. And again, announce prevention versus a worth a pound of cure. >> That's all I have. >> Thanks, Chief Pat Powers. >> Thank you, May or Yeah, mayor and
commissioners. Um, our water or water usage uh have been averaging about 550,000 gallons per day. Um, we set up the holiday tree at the library park for the tree lighting on on uh Sunday night. I had a couple sewer breaks that we had
to fix this week also. And within the next couple weeks, um, some of these dead, excuse me, some of these dead trees along Veterary Avenue in the business districts, I think there's 12 all together. We're going to be, uh, replacing them. And that's all I got.
>> Thanks, Pat. >> Um, over the last couple weeks, uh, we met with the ACUA [clears throat] regarding their rates and increases. Um, you guys have all been set a copy of that. Uh, helped to resolve an issue with the zoning along with our solister.
uh met with our auditor about union contracts uh three to four times this past two weeks. Investigated a complaint was made regarding code enforce construction. Uh met with the clerk over yearly contracts. Spoke with our insurance brokers about the increased fees and possible options that we can
look into uh to try to save some money there. Uh met with the CFO from Ventner and attempt to broker a deal with possible uh joint services. um research multiple options for our finance division, try to restructure and address any kind of needs that we have
there. Um in doing so, spoke with DCA numerous times. Um same thing with civil service. uh met with the court administrator and the assistant. Sat in on the interview for for the uh court administrator. [clears throat] Um canceled the employee
health incentive um with uh on behalf of Commissioner Blumbberg. Spoke with the comproller to uh ensure that u when he left that the bank wrecks, pension submissions, employee incentives, and everything else were up to date. Uh he
left us in pretty decent shape from what he explained. Uh except the employee health and wellbeing lunch funded with money that our fire chief received from chief from Jeff. Um received funds uh from one of our previous lawsuits. Um we
were able to recover some funding >> $146,000 worth of recovery. So we did very well with that. >> Yes. Um, and of lastly, but not least, I did have a brief discussion with the solister regarding our blowers and
backpacks issue. Um, and um, at that point, I think we're going to be looking more towards the state law. And, uh, that's his recommendation and I'll go over the increase in the fines with Roger this week. >> And that's what I have for now. >> Thanks, Pat. Scott,
>> is this on? just before I get into my bit, I wanted to ask about the public works building. What's the first floor elevation? >> You know, it's like 16. >> No, no, I think >> Do you mean the garage floor?
>> I mean, where all our very expensive equipment and our tractors and everything else. Where will they be stored? That was the number one issue. Some of you know I've been very involved down in Florida, too, with hurricane damage. And that's the first thing public works said down there is get your expensive tractors, your equipment
stored high. >> So we could I mean we have the plans. We could get the exact answer, but to your larger point, the the building design includes flood barriers for the the garage bay doors. So in the event of a flood, we would have the ability to completely dry flood proof the first the
ground floor of the building. So that way the equipment is protected >> from a flood scenario. >> One of the main reasons you need to do this. So >> all right. Um, also you you you mentioned we did get money back on that lawsuit. We have been pursuing the insurance companies and we were
successful. Um, okay. So I is it appropriate at this point workshop to discuss what are we doing about our comproller and the ability to make payroll and pay our bills? I know there's been numerous emails, phone calls most the day on this. We have
several resolutions. I know at one point there was an objection. Um, but we do need to do something to make sure everybody gets their paycheck and gets their payments and we pay our utility bills and everything else. So, what do what are we going to do? I think now's the appropriate time to workshop. We
ought to discuss this. >> Okay. >> So, what are we doing? Are we going to approve these resolutions or we are not going to approve them? >> What's your recommendation? >> Well, I don't think you really have a choice. uh under our cash management
program either our CFO who I see is here tonight but she's out on leave or her designate and that was um Dave who has left us. He's gone over to Vinland. So we need to have somebody designated to authorize the release of the funds or
else we're going to have a lot of people not getting paid for the holiday season and that would be ridiculous to do that. So yeah, my unless we have a better game plan, I think on a temporary basis, you need to pass these resolutions. So I, Commissioner Plumber, I know you
and I have had a number of talks on this. >> Can you explain to me the employee that we're hiring in 321? >> I'm going to let Pat explain that one. >> So she my understanding is she is the
CFO in Vent. >> Correct. and we've agreed that we're going to hire her >> on a part-time basis. >> In that regard, we do not need resolution 319. So, if we approve 320
and 321, we can scratch 319, and I'm in agreement to that. With that, >> what do you have to say, Pat? >> So, I I' I've explained it in several different emails. Um, the oversight of
our CFO um is done by DCA, Division of Community Affairs. I've had several conversations with them. I've gotten an email that I forwarded to everybody. Um, their position is that we cannot have another CFO appointed to like an
assistant CFO position here in Margate because our CFO of record is still our CFO of record and you cannot have two. But we're not we're not calling her a CFO. Amy will be an assistant, a
confidential assistant. >> She'll have the the ability and the authority to act as the temporary CFO. >> But but she can't um according to DCA.
>> But then why could Dave do that? Then why was Dave able to do that? >> Dave was appointed as our comproller as per DCA. So then why don't we make Amy our comproller? >> Uh Amy does not want to sign for two different municipalities. I think I put
that in an email as well. >> So she doesn't want to do that. We're giving her the job, but she doesn't want to do the job. That's what I don't understand. >> She doesn't feel that it it would be in best practices to be a signer for both municipalities if she's not here full-time. And isn't that my
understanding is DCA recommended that we have our own comproller that she does not sign for two different >> So DCA didn't have a a real strong opinion on that. However, they did say that um they would approve our only
employee left in finance to be u to be uh promoted or change in title temporarily if need be to comproller. um as long as he was overseen by a CFO or certified CFO >> and all of this is temporary.
>> That's correct. >> Mr. Blumbberg has instructed me to contact numerous uh businesses to try to get something in here for as far as a temporary solution um to our problem. I've I've gotten approximately eight um
different businesses that I've contacted. I've had um one proposal sent today. I've got a couple other uh people that have called back but have not returned their with a um with a uh proposal as of yet. >> Okay. And Leon is in agreement with
this. >> So So um our auditor has said that it would be a good idea and as well as our financial adviserss, our current financial adviserss, they were they were on the actual list that I spoke to. Um we actually asked if they
had any availability. They did not. I explained to them the deal that um we would have with Ventner and they they said that that's an extremely good deal at this point. At least get us to uh where we have someone who can come in.
My main concern is the bills are paid, the employees are paid, how we do it, but if this is approved, if this is the recommendation of all of our financial people, then I'm okay with it.
I can tell you that the bills will be paid, the employees will be paid with the hiring of 320 and 321. I'm not in favor of 319. I don't think
civil service will approve it and I don't think the DCA will approve it and that's all I'm going to say on the matter. >> Wait, DCA advised us to do it this way. >> DCA advises that they would. Not I'm not going to comment any further on the matter.
>> Okay. >> If you believe that to be true, then so be it. I I'm not going to comment publicly anymore on the matter. >> It's temporary, Mory. >> You guys get it worked out however we're going to do it. But for now, we can't run the risk of not paying people. We
just can't do it. All right. Uh what else do we have? Is there anything else to make at this point? I don't think so. Okay, Johanna, I want to make an announcement that the December 18th meeting has been moved to
December 17th. At the same time, 5:00 workshop. Immediately following will be the regular meeting. That's all I have. Thank you. Okay. Uh we'll open up to public
comment. Um only on items discussed at this meeting. Please state your name, address. >> Hello, Brian Duffy, 312 North Claremont Avenue. Um, I'm also the president of FMBA Local 41.
So, trying to figure out my words tonight to how to to basically go about this. Um, I think I I'm going to start off with this. Uh, Commissioner Horn, we've gotten to know each other over the years through the school board. When I see
something that I feel that we need to correct, I will approach it. We've done that with the school book. Correct. We do it in a professional manner, I'm going to call you my because I've known you all my life. All right. Our families grew up 100 yards away from
each other. Commissioner Blumbberg, can you tell me? All right. Actually, I'm going to backtrack. When I was 17 years old and I'm driving down the street too fast, what'd you do? >> I yelled at >> You yelled at me. You yelled at me. Remember yesterday. I remember like it was yesterday, too. [laughter]
>> Okay. And I was wrong. >> You helped me and guided me to make a good choice. To this day, I'm yelling at people driving down Claremont Avenue all the time. >> Yes, he is. [laughter] >> And the reality is, if people are doing
something that's not right, I'm gonna stand up and I'm gonna say it. Okay. With that being said, every person in this room here, we have a ton of respect, I hope, for each other because this is Margate and we all say that is a beautiful building right there. That
building should be bought or should be built for the progress of the community and it's been too long for these guys to be sitting in like literally slums. They should be that should be uh addressed and done immediately. My
personal opinion. So now with all this infighting going on, all this back and forth and it's political posturing to its finest right now. This is Margate. If there's an issue, we solve it, we move on. That's how it should be. But it's not
happening. So I'm being told, I'm getting phone calls saying that we might not get a paycheck in a couple weeks because of people aren't put in a position. So, I'm going to ask a couple questions here. And I just hope that we can figure this out
because the reality is you can see all the people back here. There's a lot more people here. Two and a half years ago when you guys were running for election, I was one of your biggest supporters. And I told you that day, I'll always have your back until the day you don't
have ours. That is the truth. All right. So number one, are we able to be paid without an active CFO, an assistant CFO or a comproller? Are we able to get paid? Where I can ask Scott, are we able to get paid?
>> Violates our cash management resolution from from two years ago. Is that correct, Pat? >> Yes. >> Pat's been living and breathing this for literally hundreds of hours. >> I know. Listen, I'm just a I'm just a union president trying to figure this stuff out today. Honestly, do we have an
active CFO, an a an assistant CFO or a comproller currently working actively right now today? >> We do not. He was transferred to Vinland. >> Right. >> It was an intergovernmental transfer, by the way. It wasn't a resignation. >> Correct. So, we had to approve that and
allow him to go. >> That's correct. >> So, we allowed somebody who had the ability to pay us. He's now gone. So, now we have to fill that role in some aspect. And that's what I'm trying to figure out why. What is the background here that we
can't promote one of our own employees to the position tonight? Get it done. Merry Christmas everybody. Happy Hanukkah. Let's go enjoy the holiday. Don't understand that. And I don't care about I don't like this person or I don't like that person.
That's not important to me. What's important to me is feeding my family over the holidays. Feeding their families over the holidays. That should be the priority number one. Will the employees of the city of Margate continue to be paid after the
next pay period? I know next pay periods in. I'm asking you, can you guarantee tonight that we will get a paycheck the last pay in December? That's my question. Absolutely. The business administrator
I trust is on it and will make sure that it happens. >> When we promote the right people, we need to promote to put the people in a position to be successful to do the job we asked them to do. >> As soon as we as soon as we approve 320 and 321 on the
resolution, >> 321, if I understand, correct me if I'm wrong again, just a fireman here, not an attorney. 321 cannot do those jobs because because she is currently employed by this. She wants
to help but she cannot do that job. >> And none of that is confirmed. And so what you're saying is half true. I believe >> Listen, I'm trying to figure this out. >> As of 3:00 this afternoon, we were we were supposed to have a meeting with
her. Pat was going to set up a meeting with her. We're going to discuss with her. Could she in fact do that? If 319 passes, I'm now told that uh
that that person will be able to process payroll >> and that that John Boyd is already in >> there. There are people within the municipal building who have the ability to process. >> So, we should just pass that and move forward. That is the key. That's what
we're trying to tell you. That's what my >> finally the last thing. >> Hold on. That's not quite right. >> Amy is willing to help us out in Margate. She has the proper licensing. >> Okay.
>> She does not want to be comproller of Margate, >> but we need a controller, >> but she will assist us. This job confidential assistant was suggested, I believe, by DCA. Was it >> originally we spoke with um we spoke
with civil service they gave me an actually another title that was incorrect. So when we rejected it we did find a more appropriate title. >> So she'd be on a very limited very part-time or limited if you make uh the
other person in 319 that's temporary till we get through these other difficult >> understandable. Yeah. But what what you need to understand what what people need to understand is 320 and 321 have
full-time jobs in Ventner. They will only be here after hours or before work. >> That's right. >> They have full-time jobs in Ventner. We are going to get very limited help from them. Very limited help. The goal is to
find a temporary CFO. Somebody that has the qualifications, that has the knowledge, that has the ability, that can help. And there are people out there that is will are willing to come here and help us.
>> We all agree to that. But in the meantime, before Christmas, yes, we need to do this. Yes. So we don't have a problem violating any of our own policies, violating our ordinance. We need to >> and my [clears throat] take on the meeting is that it's going to happen.
>> I hope so. >> Okay. That just I want to I want to give other people a chance to talk. So I'm just gonna I'm just going to finish this up. >> No, no, no. Okay. >> Again, I I want to tell you that it is my understanding
that 319 will not be approved by civil service. In that regard, I can't answer your question that that that person will be our hero. >> Respond to that, please. So that that is
a un uh uh it's an unclassified position or a non-classified position. Civil service does not actually have jurisdiction over what the qualifications are for that. >> Again, my understanding are that there are prerequisits
for someone to carry that title. >> That is correct. I do not I am I do not believe that the candidate that we're talking about has met the prerequisites. That's not for me to decide. That'll be for civil service andor the DCA to
decide. >> I This just came to my attention this afternoon. So >> that's not true, sir. I've been dealing with this I've been dealing with this for the last week, sir. >> I know. I I understand that. I've been I me as just the local 41 president has
been hearing about this talk for a while now and we just need to get some answers. >> We want to make sure that our our our members, all city employees are paid on time. >> Brian, I wish we weren't in this position. Trust me. So do I. >> I wish we weren't in this position, but
we are figure a way out of it. >> You know, we work for the city. We work for the community, the citizens, but we are also these members behind me, we are also voting members of the community as well. The last thing I'm going to say, and Chief Adams can tell you, and I tell
the rookies every day, make good choices. That's what we we preach that to our young firefighters here, make good choices. All if we do that, everything runs smooth. Thank you guys for your time. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> Real quick, I THINK WE NEED
I HEAR WHAT you're saying, Commissioner Blumberg. I think we need to let this play out if if civil service and DCA want to fight it out and but let's pass all this and let's take the next step. All the other stuff is background noise.
We we have to move forward and get our bills paid, our people paid, and let's take the next step. And hopefully everything works out. If not, two weeks we'll be back. >> Is the mayor on here?
>> He's on there. Yes. >> Do you have anything you want to say? >> Are you still on public comment? >> Yep. >> Sam Lashman, Hanover Avenue. Uh up up to now and hopefully in the
future, this has been a nice city to live in. Uh I don't know if the ship has sailed on uh your former CFO coming back. My suggestion would be to resend that resolution to send charges to the DCA.
In regard to what was just spoken about, maybe the DCA has somebody they could assign to uh that's qualified to do the uh paperwork or transfers or there's an RMA somewhere that you can do. uh hire
temporarily as a uh employee. Uh this is really not a good state of affairs here. Uh people have to work together. All the versions that we're hearing are
not able to be true. I don't want to uh let's say attack anyone but uh I think we all have you all have to work together. Everybody in the world doesn't get along with everyone but you have to
work together as best you can and uh at the end of the year there are things that have to be done financially I think everybody is hoping you can do that. Thank you. Thank you, Sam. >> Absolut
Works. I'm also a resident. Um, what it what it comes to what uh Brian was talking about, you know, you you three were definitely voted in by a lot of locals and and I truly believe like we'll never see the day that we
don't get paid. I truly believe that and I truly like think you guys are really good-hearted people. All three of you are up there for a reason and we all know that you have a lot to give to this city and I
think you know there's more to come with you guys. I just hope you know with everything that is going on. I don't know the ins and outs. Hopefully everything does get squared away. But really I I came to talk about the uh public works building and um I just
wanted to give a couple bulletins over here about uh our building. I've been here since 2009. Um, even before that as a scummer. The building's been around for a while. We all We all see it. I know every commissioner's been in there. I know
every commissioner wants this. And I commend you guys because this is the first time I've seen this in the, you know, 15, 16 years I've been here that it's up here and it's on the table, which means you guys are definitely
doing something for us, which is a step in the right direction, which I think everybody at public works appreciates. Um, on a daily basis, we we definitely, um, you know, a lot of the guys, they do a good job. you know, they keep their
mouth shut. They don't they don't say much about where we are on a daily basis, but we do have one bathroom for 30 guys. You know, we do have um a break room that can only sit about 15 guys at
most. A lot of us sit out in the garage. It's cold today. The heat's broke in the garage. We're waiting on parts. But that's that's another object that you know other obstacle that we run into on a daily basis. Um as of recent I feel like we work very close with a lot of
the contractors around town and a lot of uh you know engineers that come in and stuff. The offices up front there's not many there's not even a pl not many places to sit. There's not many places to have a good meeting. Um, we have maps
up all around our offices as well. If you know an engineer had to come in, it's hard to even move around and get to our maps. Uh, back to Sandy. I was there for Sandy. I was in the building. I watched the outlets pop, you
know, when the water came up. Um, I watched maps that were, you know, ancient maps that we probably needed that, you know, have a lot of information for us get ruined. I've seen, you know, plenty of vehicles get
ruined. We could not be in the building, but we were at work for it, so we drove, you know, $100,000 trucks around in salt water. These are all things that uh cost the city more money. And I I also am a
resident, so I I I do appreciate when you guys look out for our taxes and our money, but [clears throat] I just want to advocate for the guys at public works. I think we do a damn good
job around here. And I think we don't complain about what we are in on a day day-to-day basis. Um, I think we do have to be financially responsible as Mory said when it comes to this. I I do absolutely believe that. But I do
absolutely believe kicking it down the road like Pat said and and I know that's not what anybody wants to do. It is going to cost more and more money. Um really the building needs
needs to be done and and I truly believe that and you know Pat said it millions of dollars worth of equipment sitting outside. Loaders loaders that could last 10 years or 15 years probably lasting five five years less. They're getting eaten by salt. We
have more and more issues with our vehicles and our loaders and our machines every day. hoses are breaking constantly. That's more and more money. More and more things keep adding up. But again, I do appreciate this cuz this is
the furthest I've ever seen this. And I think this is awesome. And I think we're stepping in the right direction. And with everything else, it's going to take care of yourself. All right. Thank you guys for letting me speak. >> Thank you, Dom. [applause] Real 6 North [clears throat] Mansfield
Avenue. Um, public works does an outstanding job and they definitely need a new building. And what would be good to see and and I don't know that you want to delay this, but it would be good to see from the engineers and the architects is if you could quantify all those downgrades that you were talking
about cuz none of them seem essential to the operation of the building. Uh, and that way maybe we are fiscally prudent and can still get this thing going. So that's that's my two cents on that. Thank you. Thank you, Von. >> Any other public comment?
>> Uh just uh Steven Alman, 9003 Amhurst Avenue, Margate. Uh just a question. uh in the event of an emergency like Storm Sandy or a hurricane, can that building be utilized uh by the fire department
and the police department in the event that their buildings are affected by flooding? >> From a from a physical standpoint, the building will be, you know, the most resilient building in the city. From an operational standpoint, you know, that's
another question. Operationally, we operationally we have a an emergency dispatch setup on the second floor at 911 Winchester Avenue. So that's one of our highest places in the city anyway. So we already have a setup there in the event of another supertorm like Sandy
because even at the police department I worked as well. We came this close to being flooded out of our building at the police department. Right. >> So that's why we set up this this secondary site at 911 Winchester Avenue. >> Does that include the fire department chief? Yeah, it's all included as far as
the emergency operations and through the emergency management plan for the city of Margate that was designed and set up and it's a complete room set up with dispatch capabilities, phones, everything. So, they could I'm not speaking for the chief, but they could transfer their operations over.
>> What What about your vehicles? Would there be any space for them in in this new building? In the past, when we know of an oncoming storm, we make arrangements with 9600 and we park all of our vehicles up there. That's how we saved a lot of our vehicles during Sandy
is that we will park them at the sixth or seventh floor of 9600. >> Okay. >> And fire station two, no, the fire trucks we did not, but fire station two, we it was elevated enough that we had basically a little water in the in the
gutter and that was it. Um, behind station two is plenty high. In fact, Longport brought some of their apparatus out to our fire station, too. And during one of the storms, we moved one of our apparatus out to the county building and house it out there in Egar Township. So,
we have plans in place already. But, you know, hey, they have valuable equipment just the same as we do, and they're looking to protect their equipment. >> No, I agree with that. I just wondered whether there was additional facilities. I thank you very much. >> Thank you, Steve.
Hello everyone. Steve Begley, 9600 Atlantic Avenue, Unit 713, Margate, New Jersey. Just um a couple things I'd like to mention. The the issue the approval of 321 or 320 is no different than other
approvals that we've or the city has done in the past. As an example, our zoning officer in the city of Margate works multiple different positions in the city of Margate, multiple dis different positions in other cities such as Summers Point and others. Um, so I
don't see where that conflict exists with authorizing this individual to be limited on being able to authorize the payment to our police officers, firemen, and public works departments. The other thing I like to ask, and maybe
it's Mr. Marann's question. When speaking with the DCA, did they recommend that they assign someone to move into this position temporarily till the city of Margate can resolve this issue?
That's the question. So the when I spoke to DCA, they indicated that [clears throat] we would have to put someone in an assistant CFO position, which would be a competitive position under civil service, or we could have
them go into the comprollers position, which is non-competitive, and it's uh up to us to put that appoint that person in there. Um, it's outside of civil service. They don't have jurisdiction over it. Um, from what I was told, they said that as long as
somebody's in one of those two types of positions and is given the authorization being via resolution um to sign in place of or when the CFO is not available that that would be approved.
>> And what would take place in the event that the city of Margie does not move in that related fashion? Would the DCA automatically assign someone to take that position of CFO for Margate? >> They would not. >> They would not. All right. Thank you. >> Yep.
>> Any other public comment? >> Is there a motion to close public comment? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. [clears throat] >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes.
>> Commissioner Yes. >> Ready. Okay, I'd like to call the meeting to order. Johanna, >> 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 Bolton board in the municipal building, the municipal website, and filed in the office of the municipal clerk. Please turn off all cell phones. >> Please stand for the pledge of
allegiance. Attention. Salute. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Johanna, take the >> Mayor Collins >> here. >> Commissioner Blumbber, >> I am here. >> Commissioner Horn here. Is there a motion to approve the minutes from the November 20th regular meeting
and workshop? [clears throat] >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner >> Yes. >> We will open up public comment on resolutions and ordinance.
>> Ordinance adoptions. >> Ordinance adoptions. Please state your name and address. Can I have a motion to close public comment? >> I'll make that motion. >> Is somebody coming? >> Are we good? I I'll make the motion to
close comment on >> resolutions and ordinance adoptions. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Johanna, will you proceed,
please? May I have a the motion May I have a motion for the introduction of ordinance number 21-2025 bond ordinance appropriating 8,925,000 and authorizing the issuance of
$8,478,750 in bonds and notes of the city of Margate city for various capital improvements or proposed authorized to be undertaken by the city of Margate City in the county of Atlantic, New Jersey.
>> Motion. >> I have a second. >> Mayor Collins, >> yes. Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Uh, I I plan on voting yes, but I would like uh to see a um budget impact
statement from the business administrator prior to final vote on this. I haven't seen how the um how the new public works building will impact the budget. So, I'd like to see that
before the next meeting, but for in that regard, I'm voting yes at this time. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> May I have a motion for the introduction of ordinance number 22-2025,
bond ordinance providing for various water and sewer utility capital improvements in and by the city of Margate City in the county of Atlantic, New Jersey. appropriating $7,500,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance
of $7,500,000 bonds or notes of the city for financing the cost thereof. Motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins, >> yes. Commissioner Blumbberg.
>> Uh, I will vote yes with the same caveats as prior. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> May I have a motion for the introduction of ordinance number 23-2025, an ordinance amending ordinance number
11, 2025, fixing the salaries and compensation of certain officers and employees of the city of Margate City, county of Atlantic, New Jersey. Motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbber. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion for the adoption of ordinance number 2025, an ordinance amending ordinance number 11-2025
fixing the salaries and compensation of certain officers and employees of the city of Margate City, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins, >> yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes.
>> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> May I have a motion for resolution number 311, 2025, authorizing the transfer of budget appropriations? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. May I have a motion for resolution number 312 2025 authorizing bill payment and claims? >> 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 313-2025 through resolution number 3212025.
Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Johanna. We'll now open up public comment. If anyone has a comment,
please step forward. Name and address. >> Jody Lorenzo, owner of 101 North Washington Avenue. 12,000 foot office building. So, we've done a lot of research
over requests from the city and the state of New Jersey regarding the Washington Avenue project. So, I want to do is talk about the timing of the project. And we've heard that it's been around since 2016.
And now while that may be true, I read to you on March 19th, 2024. Ed Dennis to the mayor. Hi Mike. See attached concept plan Washington Avenue streetscape converting Washington Avenue
oneway northbound from Atlantic Avenue to Amhurst Avenue. The plan is only conceptual and can be revised during the engineering process. Please let me know when you'd like to schedule a kickoff meeting with the steering committee disc to discuss the project. So, this is the
first event that I've I appreciate the open request and and the emails that have been received thus far, but this is the first that we're hearing at least through emails [cough] that this project is now one way. So,
anything prior to that, it may have been talked about, but it wasn't one way. Okay. So, it's interesting that it goes to a steering committee and last week I heard that someone stood up in front of you and said, "Well, maybe we had we did an informal study was 50%." That's
nonsense. Okay, that's absolute positive nonsense. Steering committee never contacted us. Steering committee never spoke to us. I've contacted and spoken to two people on the committee. One appeared here and testified against it. The other one had no opinion, only
interested about what was going on in his own neighborhood. I produced and I'll produce it again. There's 200 signatures, 200 from Elizabeth the Versa over a weekend that said no to the project. Okay. So,
we'll go on to the next phase. Let's talk about the what the what what the city did, what the engineer did in terms of a traffic study. And guys, I'll turn around to you. This is it. There's your traffic study. Okay? Two
pages. It's on an undated day on a Saturday in 2024. It's a traffic count. It's not an impact study. I asked Commissioner Hornet if we were going to do an impact study. We haven't done one. We've got 1500 seats along Amhurst
Avenue. We've got new restaurants along Ahmmer Amherst Avenue. We've got consistent traffic jams in front of Wawa, in front of CBS. This now turns this into a one-way one lane. >> I apologize,
folks. And I'm glad the fire department is here tonight. This is Washington Avenue. This is Washington Avenue. This is Washington Avenue. Okay. You tell me how you going to get
fire apparatus down the street if we've got one lane and one way. It's not safe. It's simply not safe. We fast forward. We go to April
of 2025. April 23rd, I believe, is when we first I first read about the project being a one-way project. Immediately reached out, Chief Adams the next day, walked down to city hall. The plan was not available at city hall and
Dennis was kind enough to send it to us. We set up a meeting, we talked, we we sat with the business owners, the restaurant owners in my office, 16 of us. First time we're hearing about this project. So, what happens? This project just gets it gets
fed to a committee hand selected that has no intention of speaking with us. The city has [clears throat] no intention or desire to speak with the people that are most affected.
It's a disgrace. It actually it's a con is really what it boils down to. We reach out to the state of New Jersey. We're having meetings with the state. will be providing this information and additional information. Never wanted to be here. I respect the
process. I wish you had come to us a year ago. I wouldn't be standing here today and I wouldn't be looking down the street waiting for the nightmare to appear. Thank you for your time. [applause] >> Thank you, Joe.
>> Appreciate it. Thank you. Val, 6 North Mansfield Avenue. Uh, regarding the comp troll, the only reason I didn't comment on that is because I do think he need it, but I unfortunately, and I like the candidate personally, I don't think he's got the prerequisite requirements to do the job.
Um, but with that said, I do want to address something from the last meeting. I want to thank Steve Alton, by the way. I have immense respect for you. Um, and I'm glad to hear that you've agreed with some of the things I did, by the way, when I was mayor. Um, but you know, we're never going to agree 100% all the time. If we agree 60 to 70%, that's
pretty good. But, um, you did an informal survey, which I want to thank you for because it was the first survey that was done regarding the Washington Street project. And that really should have been something that was really surveyed exhaustively.
And when you did it, you got 50%. And if you're thinking about politics or policy, typically you don't do anything unless you got 60% support. So you're well below that even with your informal survey. Hold on.
When I talk to people and I say they're doing a Washington Avenue streetscape project, they say that's great. And I say they're going to turn it one way, they say no. So if you just go out and say, "Hey, do you approve of the Washington Streetscape project?" Most of the people
are going to say, "Yeah." But once you tell them that you're going to to turn Washington Avenue one way, most of us most of them say that's stupid with an explicative usually in front. Um, now Steve, we also have something in common
that, and this is going to sound odd, we believe that when Commissioner Blenberg has the facts, he usually makes pretty good decisions. And on the complaint, and I'm using the solicitor's word, so please don't
semantically correct me. Okay, [sighs] regarding the complaint against the CFO, Commissioner Plumbberg is on the record saying that he believes the allegations are inaccurate and he should have the facts. He runs
the department. I used to do seminars, communication seminars, and I would show a picture of a little old lady that just got punched in the face by a big muscle man. And everybody would immediately say, "Wow, that's awful." And then I'd show them
the picture that goes before it, and it's the little old lady holding the guy up and trying to steal his wallet. Well, if you look at the fact of the one picture of the muscle man punching a little old lady, it looks bad. But when
you see the whole truth, you say, "Okay, that's understandable." And what we're seeing here is a lot of that with this administration. And it's awful. Like, we just had I don't know who yelled it out immediately that um our payroll clerk
didn't resign. He did resign. you facilitated an inter intergovernmental transfer, but he resigned. So, you can call it what you want, but he was fed up with the circus here. Okay, you guys have lit the house on fire, and now you're trying to put it out. And you're
putting it out and you're giving these two people from Ventner the highest hourly rate of any city employee, more than the chief of police and more than the fire chief. That's a lot of money, guys. Okay. To
put out the fire that you created. Now, I also want to talk a little bit about the two big problems that you're facing. The real two problems that you have are that you used a private investigator to
investigate a department head. H and you justified it because there were a lot of complaints against department head. Chiefs, you're department heads. Pat,
you're a department head. If your employees complain against you, the precedent has been set that you can now hire a PI to look into you. That doesn't make anybody feel comfortable. It's not good. It reduces morale. It makes it
harder to recruit. It makes it more expensive to recruit. That's why you're paying $150 bucks an hour, which is over $300,000 a year if they were full-time. It's only 156 since they're part-time.
Okay. Um the second problem that you have is [snorts] that the allegations when you read them appear bogus and Nori is on Commissioner of Lumbberg is on the
record saying that they are inaccurate. So there's two things that it seems you guys should be doing as an administration. one is saying we will never use a private investigator to look into one of
our employees again. We will follow what are standard progressive discipline human resources pro uh procedures that almost every company in the United States and most governments use. The second thing that you want to do
short of Sam Rashman's telling you to resend the complaint is find an light the house on fire. But I know you won't do that because I know there's history here and I'm not going to
disclose the history yet. Okay. Question for you Mr. Abbott. Solicitor, was the complaint, in your words, filed? >> There is no complaint filed, Vaughn. >> And I have to say, most of the things
that you have just said are twisted and halfass wrong. >> Listen to the recording, Scott. Your words. >> No complaint filed. >> Your words. >> We may have at one point contemplated. >> You came out of executive session and said, "We're moving forward with this complaint. We were moving forward with
studying the complaint. >> Well, that's not what you said, sir. That is not what you said. >> You want to twist whatever way you want. >> You approve of lying. You have told me you approve of labor counsel, but I we did not file any complaint. >> So, you So, it's not There you go. Okay.
But there's the status in your words. You didn't file the complaint. So, I guess I wasn't that nutty. >> I didn't draw the complaint. I don't have the complaint. >> Okay. >> Labor council. Separate independent labor council. What's the status of this complaint? Has it been filed?
>> I just told you it hasn't been filed. >> Thank you. Okay, that's it, guys. You've dug a big hole here. I hope you get out of it. >> Von, I have to say this to you. I've watched you for years and the way you get up and pontificate and twist the
truth. Most of the stuff you're saying is wrong. Did you say though that you had a copy of that draft from our labor council that you a private citizen something that's very confidential? You got a copy of that to do that. How did
you get that copy? >> I I that was forwarded in an email throughout the city. >> By who? >> I do not know. >> You don't know. >> I don't know. >> Okay. You shouldn't have gotten that copy. I
don't know how you got it. Okay. >> Perhaps when the litigation ensues, we'll >> I'm sure you have litigation and I'm sure and I'm sure in fact you guys already got a lawsuit coming against it. >> You're up here every every week. >> You already got a lawsuit coming >> that we spend or settle and spend many
many dollars to make a problem go away. >> How many lawsuits you think you're going to have? >> I I can't I would only be asking, but I think at least two. >> Yeah. Okay. So, >> at least two. >> Okay. So anyway, keep up the good work. Thank you.
[applause] Sam Lashman, uh, one nine North Hover, I have a question. Uh, is the assessor or tax collector possibly able to act in the place of the CFO at this time or they were all the same person?
Thank you. That's a question. They are not. Thank you, Sam. [clears throat] >> Any other public comments? >> Nobody answered his question. >> Oh, he shook his head. >> I said they are not. I'm sorry.
>> Any other public comments? >> Oh, excuse me. >> Go ahead. >> Uh, Altman again. Um just one correction. Um former mayor, uh I I did not approach um surveying the
public uh by saying we have a a one-way street uh proposal and so on. I uh took uh notes from the >> [snorts] >> um city's website uh which was quite
lengthy. I don't have it with me now. Uh but it was a very lengthy document and I approached people by saying there was a proposal um that the city planned on doing a streetscape. I described the
streetscape and then I asked what's your opinion for against or whatever and the figure would actually be 50 plus 20%. about 20% of the people uh kind of were
indifferent one way or the other. I have to admit that was my approach. I was really indifferent. Uh so I would fall into that 20%. So that would be about 70% of the community uh that were
surveyed uh in favor more or less. >> Thank you. >> But you didn't say it was one. >> Oh yeah. We don't hold conversations. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Steve. >> Hello, my name is Maryanne Cleur, 25
North Madison Avenue, A8. I proposed the last time I was here if you had could have put this on the uh general election and I was told that it wasn't proper to put it on the as a to vote. There is
going to be an election in 2026. I don't understand with the gentleman who has interest. He didn't know. Other people don't know about this. Why you can't put it on the 2026? Is there a primary? Why couldn't this be voted on
the the Washington Avenue project? >> Thank you. >> For the safety reasons. >> Thank you. >> Nobody can answer me. I mean, isn't it I can answer you. >> I I can answer you. But the the project
has already been awarded. It's under construction. The idea is that uh the contractor is moving forward. So, uh, I I'm not a lawyer, but I believe it would take a lawyer to stop and they would
have to have reason. >> All right. I'm just concerned for the evac evacuation routes and the safety and I tried to get here tonight from Madison Avenue. So if the streets are coming down one
way, it took me 10 minutes to get out on my street unless I was going to go back and then I would come down Washington Avenue and then I can't do that anymore. So that's I'm just a citizen paying taxes since 1987. And I just thought I'd ask the question
because I don't think it really got answered the last time I was here. >> Thank you. I will say this, and I probably shouldn't, but um Chief Hankinson, Chief of Police was on the steering committee. There was a fireman on the steering
committee. I I would like to think if someone didn't approve or felt it was dangerous or they would have spoken up. I do know Joe, we've talked and I do know after
that meeting and that changes were made um as a result of that meeting. So I I think there was input. It may not have come exactly the way that some have won it, but input was taken, changes were
made. Um I just want to clear that up a little bit. It's not Joe. You can come back. I know you're passionate. I don't want to excite you. We've talked before. You could call me. I just want to clear the air and put that out there a little bit. >> No, understandable. But what you didn't
do was an impact study. >> And all you did or not you, your your engineer. So either the engineer didn't do his job >> or he was advised not to go any further than just do a traffic count up and down the street. So they what they did was a
traffic count on a on an undated Saturday in August of 2024. Now none of us in this room believe that that's would be enough because it doesn't take into consider well first of all where are we on a summer afternoon in the
middle of the day? We're on a beach so there's nobody come driving up and down. we're talking about when when when when Chief Adams questioned the engineer because I don't want to get into the emails any further because they're they're very positive and very forthright from Commissioner
Adams and I can commend him. But the answers that he was fed and it seemed like what we're doing was the engineer was was giving a little bit of information this way, a little bit of information that way, a little bit of information just enough, but never told
anyone that this is a one-way project. And that's where the crux started. It it started. No, as as somebody stated before, if you're talking about a beautifification project, everybody in this room is for a beautifification project. Who who doesn't want it? But to look at this and say one way, one lane
when we all know we can't get to CVS. I mean versus 800 visits a day. The average Waw Wa does 400,000 visits a year. Taking in consideration Waw Wa across streets, two bus stops. You've got log jams that people can't make left
or rights into Wawwa without backing up in front of Chief's Fire Station. So it's a cons it's it's not a concern about whether or not I think it's oh I didn't like it because it's it's it's a practical idea to be able to say okay what the engineer did was not enough
okay because if you if you just just think about it we had to do two traffic studies we had to do two impact studies the impact studies would be one at night down at the end because now if you're coming down Amhurst Avenue which is one way you're no longer going to be able to make a left-hand turn up Washington
Avenue. Where do you go? You're just stuck because now the lane that's in front the the bicycle lane that's on Amherst Avenue is not a bicycle lane. It's a stop and drop off people and it's a stop
to go get food. It's not Now consider this and I said I I said I said that as one of the owners of of the restaurants. If we've got a if we've got a liquor delivery on Amherst Avenue and now we're driving all of this traffic, we got CVS has got 75 foot trailer. Now you're
telling the tractor trailer to go down to Amherst Avenue, make a left and make another left up Koolage Avenue. The people I think the the young lady who's just spoken for, she doesn't know that. Nobody in the neighborhood knows it. And again, it goes back to communication, you know, and and there and there was
none and it was intentional. And I don't we'll get to the bottom of it again. I'm not looking to fight with you. >> I know >> looking to resolve it that put it back to two-way. Sit down. Beautify the beautify the neighborhood. Make it safe.
It just does not one lane one way just does not make any sense whatsoever. And I agree wholeheartedly when you mention it to somebody. One way one lane there's not a person that's for for the project. So I can you I'm not listening to anybody else in terms of doing
something while somebody's getting vegetables down castles. That's nonsense. I'm dealing with people, real people, real problems, real issues. That's what it's all about. So it's not a disagreement. It's why didn't we do it? Why didn't we take that 24hour? We
had an opportunity this year because we were notified in April of 2024, April 2025 and we were told that it was one way because now we had a whole summer to be able to do a another study or at least an updated study or do an impact study
at both locations. You know why it wasn't done? Because it would it would have killed the project. It would have stopped it because it doesn't make sense. So that's why we're pursuing this on a state level. We've got legislators that, you know, in our area that don't that say the right thing, they're against the project, but
they don't want to do it. So, I've gone outside. I've gone I go gone to other parts of of the state of New Jersey. We will be meeting with we will be meeting with the state. So, it whether it's it doesn't stop with with an attorney. Going to court does not help, but it can stop if we get the right people to sit
down with us and go over this project because we believe based on the information that we have, there's some issues with the application. with that. >> Thank you. >> Hopefully. My pleasure. >> Any other public comment?
>> Commissioner, can I make a statement real quick? I just wanted to clarify something. >> Yes. >> So, I I know there's been some uh mention about private investigations and and stuff like that. I just wanted to clear that up. the uh private investigator
um that they speak about was actually recommended by our attorneys to ensure that there was an impartial investigation. There was an employee complaint brought to my attention that needed to be
investigated. there was already a complaint that was unfounded, investigated and unfounded by an attorney. Um, and I didn't want to make it look like it was a retalatory type of event.
And I brought that to our attorney's attentions and our attorneys both said it would be in our best interest to go outside and do an impartial uh investigation through a third party. And that's I just wanted to make sure that we're clarif we're clear on that that
that's the reason why no one's following anybody around. No one's doing anything like that. Additionally, I just think that we're just trying to do our due diligence and like and see that our employees actually receive their due
process like in court. I've never seen someone or so many people fight to try to keep something from going to court or going to a decision maker who can look at the facts that are presented and say
yes or no. I'm I'm to me it's like arguing on the side of the road with a police officer who pulled somebody else over and trying to get them out of the ticket right there. Why not just why not just let it go to a hearing? I don't I don't understand what the what the issue is.
That's all I'd like to say. >> Okay, Mr. Duffy. >> Uh, Brian Duffy, 312 North Claremont Avenue. I'm just going to say thank you for the moving forward with the consent agenda on the advice of the council and BA. I appreciate all the commissioners and mayor moving forward with this
process. Thank you very much. That's it. >> Thank you, Brian. >> Any other public comment? [clears throat] Can we have a motion to close public comment? Motion. >> Second. Mayor Collins.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. >> Scott, there's no executive session. >> Not that I'm aware of. >> Can I have a motion to adjourn? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbber? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn? >> Yes. fingers. >> Hm.