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 and posted on
the Bolton board in the municipal building >> filed in the office of the municipal clerk. Please turn off all cell phones. >> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> Attention salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Johanna, please take the role. >> Mayor Collins >> here. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> I am here. >> Commissioner Horn here.
>> Welcome everybody. Uh we will begin. I'd like to call uh Delaney Banker forward uh so we can award our beach tag design winner future. She's got a future for a little bit.
You want to take pictures? You want to come up there and take pictures? >> You can come up and take pictures row. >> All right. stand up. >> All right. So, uh, every year we do a beach badge, uh, contest where, uh,
students draw draw a design and and the commissioners select the winner. And this year, Delaney was our winner. And I'll just show everybody real quick her design for this year. So, you get a sneak preview. And I will read read our proclamation. Whereas, Delaney Banker, a sixth grade
student at E8 High School, is hereby honored by the Margate City Board of Commissioners. And whereas Delaney is congratulated for submitting the most outstanding entry in the 2026 Margate City Beach badge contest, achieving the privilege of having her design in the Margate City Beach badges this summer.
Now therefore, this Margate City Board of Commissioners proudly recognize Delaney by proclaiming today, Thursday, October 16th of 2025 as Delaney Banker Day. So just want to again congratulate
Delaney. I will say this is >> and I will say and you know I don't want to speak on behalf of uh Commissioner Horn and Commissioner Blumbberg but it is very very difficult. We get a lot of uh a lot of students with great designs and I know uh you know Andrew Miles in
our rec department submits the the designs to us and I sit there and look at them over and over because it's it's really tough to to pick to pick our favorite. But congratulations and >> thank you >> and uh >> yes good luck. >> Ready to give your speech. >> All right. And we have some some more
good news and I will hand it over to Commissioner Horn and Chief Adams. >> Thank you. You want me to start off? >> Yeah. >> All right. So, it's a it's a great day in the fire department. Uh, anytime we can swear new firefighters in or make a promotion in the fire department, it's a
great day for us and it's a great day for our our manpower because hiring these two firefighters that are going to get sworn in today takes us back to our full strength. Uh we worked through this past summer working short staffed on two of our our four shifts and this will
enable us to get back to full staff and be able to provide which we didn't. We had no interruption in our services. We provided excellent services but we're going to be able to provide even better services. We look forward to these two individuals with a successful career and I say that as part of it. It's not a
job. This is a career and it's something you have to really love and really, you know, take the task. And I'm looking for both of you to do just that, to take this upon yourself to make it a career and to make it a better place than it already is. Um, you see the firefighters
standing behind us here. They all understand what it took to get here and they were sitting in your shoes some many moons ago, but it's an important thing for everybody to understand. We have a lot of pride and tradition in the fire department and we look for you two to expand on that and make it even
better and be part of the future of the fire department. First, we're going to call up Justin Foreman and his family if they could come forward. Need one of the oats, huh? >> Right out front here. We'll have somebody put that on. Yeah, you're wearing it.
>> Justin, who you want hold the Bible? >> Um, yeah. Go ahead. I'm just going to say a few things about Justin while we're getting ready here. Uh, Justin is a lifelong resident. He went through the Margate City School System, graduated from Ocean City High School. He then
went on to Stockton University and graduated with a degree in finance. He has worked locally for over 10 years at Scott Stock. He joined the Lawnport Volunteer Fire Department in anticipation of moving up the ladder to make it here as a career in the Margate Fire Department. He actually took the
last two tests and on the last test we only hired one and it was a veteran and he was just out of the reach to get an opportunity to get hired off the last list but he excelled once again on this list and he's standing before you today. Um he came to the Margate Fire
Department certified as an EMT. He's currently attending a career fire academy which will end on October 31st along with firefighters from Ocean City, Strathmir, Atlantic City, Pleasantville, and Vetner. And Commissioner Horn, >> it's all yours.
>> Repeat after me. I, Justin A. Foreman, >> I, Justin A. do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear >> solemnly and sincerely promise and swear >> that I will support >> that I will support >> the Constitution of the United States of America
>> constitution of the United States of America >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and >> the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will >> and I will >> faithfully >> faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> justly >> perform and discharge all the duties of
the office of firefighter >> perform perform and discharge all the duties of the office of firefighter >> in the fire department of the city of Margate. >> The fire department of the city of Margate >> to the best of my ability and understanding. >> to the best of my ability and understanding. >> So help me God. >> So help me God.
>> Congratulations. >> It's a tradition in the fire service to have the official pinning of the badge. So, I don't know who's going to take just the honors of that. It's just going to go right here. No, you comection. [Music]
Everybody line up. Come on in. Commissioner Can I ask a favor? Can I just move this? >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. That's great. >> That far enough? >> Yep. >> Blocking an exit. >> We have three things for you to sign.
And then here is your official new helmet. Thank you. And then come on over here. That's interest. >> Uh, I want black or blue. I always like sign all three and then you can sit down.
>> Perfect. While Justin's signing, we're going to give a little background on our second firefighter to be sworn in here today. Um, he comes from a tradition of firefighting. Uh, you know, Chief gets a little emotional, so we don't know if we'll get through this because, you
know, uh, Deputy Chief Armstrong and I have had a long tenure career together. >> And, um, it's good to see a second generation firefighter. We have Chief Tabaso in the back who has his two sons are firefighters. They're second generation here. And it's a good thing
to have that. And it just shows you the upbringing and the values that are instilled in him growing up to to want to become a firefighter and follow in his dad's footsteps. Uh Patrick is a lifelong area resident. He went to the Margate schools. He graduated from Ocean City High School.
He attended the University of Alabama. He is a Longport lifeguard. He is a current Longport volunteer firefighter. And Patrick actually came to Margate Fire Department certified as a firefighter one and firefighter two. He actually took last summer and instead of
working on the beach five days a week, he went to the fire academy five days a week with a career academy as a volunteer from Lumpboard just so he could get his certification out of the way. And that that took a lot of time and effort for him to do that and the ability to want to do that. It really
shows his endeavor to be here today. He's he was in the process prior to being hired of getting his EMT and has since successfully passed his EMT certification and is now a fully firefighter fully certified firefighter and EMT for the Margate City Fire
Department. We look for many good things from Patrick and we look for him to follow in his dad, Deputy Chief Armstrong's footsteps. Pat and family, please come up. Come on, Katie. Anybody? >> Oh, people in the back.
Light the crowd up. >> Best ink. >> I, Patrick K. Armstrong Jr. >> I, Patrick K. Armstrong Jr. do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear >> do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear
>> that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially
>> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform and discharge >> perform and discharge >> all the duties of the office of firefighter. >> All the duties of the office of firefighter >> in the fire department of the city of Margate >> in the fire department of the city of Margate
>> to the best of my ability >> to the best of my ability >> and understanding >> and understanding. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. [Music] >> Okay, here we go. Come on over here.
All right. How long is this thing here? We got to get a ticket. Great. Walk that fire exit again. >> Here you go, Pat. I know you already wore it till fire, but there's that helmet. You got it. Congrats. Thanks for the paycheck. He's got a
first round at Mayners. Everybody is welcome. Need >> your signature three times every >> All right. Congratulations again, Justin and Patrick. I'd now like to welcome Anna Moore uh from Post 39 of the Jewish
War Veterans uh to step forward, please. >> Hello, Mayor. How are you? >> Good. How are you? Thank you. Um, we're asking at post 39 that our resolution that's been nationally uh endorsed by the Jewish war veterans as well as the
veterans of foreign wars, the VFW um to have a res recognition day for military sexual violence um in the city of Margate. Uh I write legislation at the national level for veterans. I served in the military faithfully for
many many years. I was the first woman um to drive boats for special operations for US Navy Seals and this resolution originated in Margate where we're from and post 39 was the first actual post to recognize this. Um if I could read the
resolution so you could see why the matter is so important and why we would like this to be the first city in the whole United States to recognize this issue before the Armed Forces Committee and the federal government approves this. We'd like the recognition here because it originated here if I may.
Recognition of military sexual violence resolution 620. Whereas 1.4 4 million post 911 service members have been affected by military sexual violence as defined in the
uniform code of military justice section 10 article 120 indicating that one in three service members have experienced such violence. And whereas the prevalence shows no significant gender difference with statistical suicide
rates reflecting higher incidents among males being raped in combat zones. And whereas the Department of Defense official statistics report 30,000 incidents of sexual assault to service members annually. The actual prevalence
was 75,569 in 2021 and 73,695 in 2023. Demonstrating that the rates of military sexual violence are 2 to four times
higher than reported. Whereas 35,000 service members each year while on active duty either attempt suicide or experience suicidal ideiation with a greater number attempting suicide. And
whereas 1.4 4 million service members in 20 years post 911. 700,000 of my brothers and sisters have attempted or completed suicide due to the infliction of military sexual
violence. And whereas a day of recognition for military sexual violence should be established on October 11th each year to expose the great injustices inflicted on our bravest service members
who courage to stand up and defend this nation while concurrently fighting to heal from criminal acts perpetrated against them while protecting the United States is recognize. Therefore, now be
resolved that the veterans of the foreign service wars of the United States that we call upon the Department of Defense, all branches of the military to acknowledge the severity of the military sexual violence and implement
comprehensive measures to prevent such incidents and be further resolved that the VFW and Post 39 Margate as well as the city of Margate support the establishment of October 11th as the day
of recognition for military sexual violence to honor and support survivors, raise awareness, and promote necessary reforms within the military to address and prevent sexual violence. And I want
you to be known that there are people such as myself that was raped in the military. But there are men here that are veterans that are brownwater navy such as myself that have came from Margate, served their country, and were raped and they are eagerly awaiting a
day of recognition. That is what we're asking the city of Margate to respectfully. Thank you. >> Thank you, Anna. Appreciate you coming today. Thank you. >> I was just going to do that. So before we move forward with our engineering report, I know uh many of you might have
been here for the swearing in. I'll give you a 30 second uh intermission to >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> They made me sorry. That's not
funny. >> Maybe I was reporting. Well, >> all right, Ed, if you'd like to begin, please. >> Yes. Thank you, mayor. Good evening, everyone. Starting out as always on our item A, citywide dredging permit. I could not think of a more fitting
conclusion to our permitting saga with the DU. Uh, so this is hot off the press. Uh, the last update I gave was that the NJ had indicated that a decision would be made by October 14th. As everyone knows, this has been a yearslong process, surveys and reserveys, jumping through hoops, doing
everything they ask us to do. And I was informed today by the D that they missed the deadline. So our permit is automatically approved. >> So there you go. all that. Um, we have a valid permit and they'll send it over.
So, um, can't make this stuff up. Uh, item B, uh, is the companion item, which is Shelter Island. There's an item on the agenda today to approve some work to be done by Stockton as part of this permit process. So, we'll we continue to move forward on that. Item C is the Washington Avenue streetscape project,
uh, which is on the agenda today for bid award to Alfariazi concrete. We did receive concurrence from the NJ DOT to award that bid. So that is on the agenda today for award. Item D, the Amherst Avenue uh pump station project. We had our Greenacres public hearing on Friday,
October 3rd. Um and so that was a a box that we had to check before the Green Acres Commission more or less could consider that diversion request. So I believe that's um on schedule to be considered and hopefully approved by the end of the year. And then at that point, we can go full speed ahead on final design. the new public works building
item E. I did send out a memo um over to Pat and I believe that'll be shared on the value engineering items that we considered for that project in order to reduce cost um went into some level of detail. Hopefully everyone um can take a look at it and then obviously let me know if there's any questions or or
requests for additional information. I'm happy to get that information out um so that we can have a discussion on how to proceed with that um design in that project. Item F is the Ventner Avenue parking lot. Uh so so some more good news here. We did um receive our approval from
Atlantic County on October 1st and there's an item on the agenda today to authorize that project for bid advertisement. So that would be going out to bid for construction. Um and it would be complete in time for the season. So that's exciting. Item G is
the Atlantic Avenue uh roadway project project from Huntington to Mansfield which has been advertised for bids and we're receiving bids on that project October 23rd, so next week. The 2025 road program is following behind that. Uh we have authorization to bid on the agenda today. So that project will be
going out to bid. No updates on the next uh few items. Jumping down to our construction projects. Uh no updates on maintenance bonds or closeout. The 2020 ft row program um is back into construction. Uh so we'll we'll have
that project um finished out depending on the weather uh certainly before the the uh summer season. And then flipping to page three, Avenue is complete. We're just in the punch list phase. The uh restroom building is in construction.
Winchester Avenue in construction. The 2024 road program is scheduled to start construction sometime this month. We have our contractor working on the lead service line replacement project and the Atlantic Avenue bike lane project would take place in the spring once our road work is complete. And that's my report.
>> Thank you, Ed. >> All right, we will now move forward with our department head reports. Chief Adams, would you like to begin, please? >> Maybe. There we go. Thank you, mayor. Um, today actually was the last day the fire department u wrapped up our fire
prevention week. We had a beautiful visit from our preschool class of raw school. Nine students came to visit the fire station and it was a great day for them and a great day for the fire department. Um, I do want to mention and talk a little bit about a follow-up from
the storm. I have to say overall I think the city of Margate fared very well. Um, we did, as expected, have flooding similar to tropical storm Ern in August. We had two of the high tides during the day that caused moderate flooding in our Back Bay low-lying areas. The weather
forecast though anticipated the tides to be much higher and they were calling for much higher levels. I think we fared pretty well and missed out on the major flooding and we were in the moderate level for flooding. Um, I do want to thank our city department, specifically
the police, fire, and public works department for working together to asssure the safety of our residents and providing cleanup afterwards. And a special thanks to the police department and Val for getting the uh traffic barriers out there because I think that made a world of difference in
controlling the traffic flow. Uh, in tropical storm Eron, we we rescued uh people from seven vehicles during this storm. We rescued no no per no people from any of the vehicles and I think that's attributed to our social media as well and Shannon and Jesse for getting
the message out and providing that information to our people to assure that we kept them informed of what was coming. On one note, we did have a fire on uh uh yeah, Wilson Avenue and it was caused
from an electric skateboard that had been left sitting in the floodwaters. Um, I need to stress this to our residents. I need to stress this to our visitors. If you have any of these devices with lithium batteries, electric skateboards, ebikes,
uh, scooters, you really need to get them off of the ground and out of flood waters because the saltwater when it penetrates into the battery area of the lithium battery, it can be catastrophic as far as this incident. And I have to say thankfully to the neighbor who lived
next door who saw the smoke coming from the actual uh it was the storm vent on the side the the the floodgate. Uh smoke was coming out of the floodgate on the side of the house. And we actually thought at first we had a crawl space fire and ended up being in the garage. But thankfully to her quick actions in
calling 911 and us being able to get there. Um the area where the fire occurred had probably about 14 inches of water in the street and it made it for a little bit difficult, you know, effort for us, but thankfully the fire was small in nature and quickly extinguished
and that. But please, if you have any of these devices and you have them stored in your garage or stored in areas that could be a problem, get them off of the ground when flood waters are anticipated, especially if you know you live in those lowlying areas that do flood. Um, and that's it, Mayor. Thank
you. Thank you, Chief Captain Lee. >> Good evening, uh, Mayor, commissioners, department heads. Uh, I only have one thing. Uh, we have the Atlantic City Marathon that's coming through, uh, this Sunday. Um, just a reminder to the public, there is going to be some major traffic delays with this going on, usually between the hours of 8 a.m. and
1:00. That's when the the large groups of people come through. Uh, so the police department has posted no parking signs as of this week on Atlantic Avenue, Jerome Avenue, and some of the other side streets. Uh, barricades have been pre-positioned as well. um to ensure that we we close off the streets uh in a in a timely manner. So, it's
just a reminder to the public to be aware of the delays that are going to occur on Sunday. That's all, sir. >> Great. Thank you, Roger. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh just a couple things to report. Next week is the flood conference Atlantic City Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I'll be sure to
tell the manufacturer of the flood vent that it acts as a chimney as well. Um which is anything that works helps. That's great. In the lowline areas, you probably want to get things off the ground about at least three feet. So, uh, planning board meeting end of the
month, we have about four cases on and Paul and I were talking the other day. This is probably the busiest we've been in several years with the amount of permits and stuff coming in. So, things are still going well for Margate in the future. Thank you. >> Thank you, Roger Palma.
>> Good evening. Um, nothing major to report from the building department. We've just been keeping busy, like Roger said, how busy we are. Um, we've also been trying to work more with our social media team, Shannon and Jesse, to get some more information out to the
residents. We had a post a couple weeks ago about the importance of obtaining permits and also how to go about hiring a contractor because, you know, in our office, we can't tell people who they should or should not hire. They have to
do their own homework. And so we really encourage people to try to do their own research and check to make sure everyone is licensed and in good standing with the state. Um so keep your eye on the social media because I'll try to get more information out there in the
future. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. Mayor, one more thing. I just want to say that made a uh sent an email before the storm to all the contractors warning them of the storm and to anchor the stuff down, the materials down. And I thought that was a great idea. >> Yeah.
>> And uh nice forethought by Palmer. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, >> Pat. Mayor Commissioners, how you guys doing? Uh last weekend storms, we gave out close to 400 sandbags. Uh our pump station ran, our pump stations ran over 40 hours in two days just to keep up
with the inflow. And uh we had one tree to come down on Penrook Avenue. Uh the week of the 27th of October, we're be doing hydrant flushing. So, we'll have Danny send out a phone blast again and Shannon to post something on social media. Uh, the water meter program is
about 64% complete and hopefully in the next few meetings we'll have another resolution to continue on with phase five. That's all I got. >> Thank you, Pat. Do you want to introduce Kyle? >> Introduce Kyle Weinberg. He's our fill
in tonight for Solicer Abbott who is out playing for a procedure. appreciate your time. Thank you. >> Thank you for coming. >> Absolutely. Um I have a message from our tax collector's office. Um the ad assessment files are going to be downloaded to our operating system
tomorrow. The bills will be mailed out as soon as possible. Um they're due November 1st by stat by statuto. Um tax sale list will be created October 22nd with advertising to begin
um on about uh 14th looks like November 14th for delinquent 2024 balances on taxes and utilities and then the message for the utility portion of it is that uh the meter reads the
annuals are about 95% complete and the bills for the overcharges uh should come out sometime early next week and that's what we have for the collector's office. Um I have one item
uh to discuss for workshop. Um it's regarding a proposal from u one of our vendors. Um we have kind of an issue with the um air actuator from our boiler in the building at city hall. Um there's
the availability to purchase a uh part that's pretty significant. It's going to be about $10,615. Um but the rest of the uh system is
obsolete or unable to get uh the parts for it. Um they have given us a price to replace the whole thing which is around $45,484. Um those are the two uh those are the two basic choices that we
have. So, just wanted to bring that forward to you guys' attention. You guys kicking around and um maybe give me some direction on which way you'd rather go. It looks like we're either going to pay now for the part and see how long that
lasts. If something else goes, you know, peace meal it or we could purchase the whole entire thing um and have uh parts and stuff readily available. So, that's something that you guys give a kick around. let me know. Or if you guys wanted to talk about tonight,
>> can you provide us those quotes so we can review them? >> I can show them to you right now if you'd like, but I mean, as far as that goes, I could I'll make copies and >> Yeah, I think that would be beneficial. >> All right. Is that all? >> That's it for now. Yes.
>> All right. Joanna, >> I would like everyone to be aware that mail and ballot applications are available in the clerk's office. Uh, the day to register to vote has passed and the voting for
early voting begins October 25th and the election is November 4th. >> That's it. >> All right. Thank you. All right. I'd now like to open. >> Can I just make a quick comment with regard to our Zoom? This is our first Zoom broadcast. Um, so we are still
trying to work out some of the little games. We we practiced a couple times. We're not quite perfect yet, but we wanted to make sure that uh we were up and running tonight. Um if there is a public comment um regarding uh I guess regarding public comment, if you have a
comment, all comments are going to be read. Any questions um that are going to be submitted, they'll be forwarded to the appropriate department to be responded to. And the way we're going to work that is if someone wants to make a comment um they're going to DM me. I
think it's the the proper terminology. Um and and I will read the information. Um when you do DM me, if you are online and you do want to make a comment, you have to provide your name, your address, and some contact information um in case
we need to get back to you. Um and that would be for when you're ready to give the public comment. Thank you. >> Yeah. Just so everybody knows, I'll open public comment here. We'll we'll take the comments and then I'll uh ask the administrator if he's got any comments
online and we'll we'll address those after public comment in person. So at this point we will uh open public comment. If anyone has any comment on anything discussed in this meeting only uh please step forward. >> Pat, do you have any online comment?
say you say just double check. >> And as Pat said, we do appreciate your patience through this process. >> We're good. >> All right. Is there a motion to close public comment? >> 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. 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 solution. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it
stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Johanna, please take the role. >> Mayor Collins, >> here. >> Commissioner Blumb, >> I am here. >> Commissioner Horn, >> here.
>> Is there a motion for the approval of the September 18th, 2024 regular and workshop meeting minutes? >> Motion. >> Second. Mayor Collins, >> yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> All right, we will now open up public comment for resolutions on today's
agenda. If anyone has any comment on any of the resolutions, please step forward. >> Dennis Gordioski, 7702 Amhurst Avenue. In the past, we'd have one line or resolutions. And last meeting when I was at, I said
that that we had a resolution about parking between Memorial Day and Labor Day being, you know, paying for it. Then after Labor Day, it wasn't. And then police um Hagen said hold said, "No, no, that resolution it was to the end of the month." So can we go over these
oneliners that we have for resolutions going forward just not to say you know we're going to uh fix salaries who salaries it doesn't say who and reason why. >> So Dennis the uh the copies that are
distributed will have the title and then uh on the website you'll have all the details. >> I looked at the website and so I don't know all the details because I looked at it before I came to this meeting. It's almost the same as what's what's here. So, if somebody can give a I mean, this
is what happened the last time where it wasn't because I went back and looked at that resolution about charging. I don't see it going to the end of the month and we did wave it for the May Marqu festival. We waved the parking fees. So,
it's not consistent. So, can we go over these and but put amounts to it if amounts or whatever >> and and just see what the not now. I'm saying can you check the website to verify why the the resolutions aren't posting please. >> Okay. And just give us a I mean tell me
something that an ordinance here scheduled fees for codes doesn't mean anything to me. >> So So Dennis again this is for resolutions only ordinances uh the public hearing for ordinances is when they're adopted. So that would be at the next meeting. So, uh, they get
introduced now. Then in two weeks, we have the the public hearing where anyone's questions and concerns can be raised. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We have any other public comment on resolutions?
>> So, Mike, I uh I have questions on 261. Um uh my first question is about a month or so ago I asked uh that we consider surveying the taxpayers
as to their feelings on this project and um understanding that it's going to be over $4 million and a majority of the people and I've said this before majority of the people that I've talked to are unhappy happy
with the fact that this Washington Avenue was going to be made one way. So, I was wondering uh where we stand with the surveying of the taxpayers that I requested. Uh that that request was an
email to the business administrator. Pat, was there any movement or what what was discussed on that? I I never heard back from you on it. >> Do you have a date on that, sir? >> Uh I No, I'm going to say it was about a
month ago where I suggested that we survey all the taxpayers and that you take it up with Commissioner Horn and Collins. Was that that was Was that not discussed? >> It was not discussed.
So the idea is my and and that's okay. We get a lot of emails. The my feeling is that this project is not one that's that the residents of market are in
favor of at least most of if not all of the ones that I talked to. And so my next question would be did we get anything any feedback from the citizens advisory council on it? I know the last
time we went to spend a lot of money on a project we had a written position and statement from them. Did do we have anything from them? I know we have a couple of members here that spoke out publicly that the people that they talked to were not in favor of the
one-way aspect of this. Um, but I don't know that we have anything official from the board. Do you have anything from the board? >> So, I don't I do not believe we have a written letter from the board. I was at their last meeting and brought the presentation that that Ed provided, the
big uh the big board presentation, and went through the details with the members. And I will say they were uh pleasantly surprised at what the project entailed because I feel like there's a lot of misinformation out there as to the details. And um I walked out of that
meeting with a vote of confidence from that group saying that they felt um they felt that their questions were answered. They felt much better about the project because again there was a lot of misinformation out there as far as uh what this was going to do to traffic and
things like that. And again from step one when Ed first presented this to uh in this in these chambers uh we've made many revisions in order to get to the point we are to to answer those questions. So I feel like that first
introduction raised a lot of questions. People held on to a lot of those issues thinking that they were going to to remain as we have uh made the alterations and changes. And Ed, uh, again, I feel like I've said this three times, but I commend Ed for doing a great job listening and responding and
coming up with a very good project as a result. And, uh, I feel confident having walked out of that meeting with the citizens advisory board, uh, with their their assessment. >> Okay. >> I apologize. Uh, I do have an email from
you on September 5th. I believe I did start preliminary conversation. >> Can you I can't hear you. Maybe speak up a little bit. >> Troy, I apologize. I do have your email stated September 5th. Um I did start
conversations regarding the possible survey of it, but I never formalized anything and I apologize. That's that's my fault. >> Okay. I um the last question I have is uh one of procedure.
Uh h are are are have we certified the the grant funds and don't we have to have the grant funds in place prior to awarding of the contract?
>> I can only speak on that um in the context of some in the context of some conversations I had with Dave Elliot this week when he was trying to sort through all this. Um my understanding is there's a couple items on the agenda tonight that are um
pertaining to those grants and making sure that they're procedurally in the budget whatever you know however that needs to happen in conjunction with this award. It's my understanding but I'm just an engineer. >> No, no, no, no. So I if that is in fact the case and I think the the clerk needs
to re uh reassign I I don't think we can award and I don't want to get jammed up on this. I don't think we can award before we do the grants >> right reorder 261 263 and 264. That's
what I would think. I'd much prefer that we pull it and talk to the taxpayers, but I don't think I'm going to win that battle. >> So, Johanna, when we proceed, can you proceed with 263 and 264 before 261 for a vote, please, when we get to that
point? Uh, since we're in public comment on resolutions, um, I I just want to let the public know on 259. I'm I'm going to vote no. And um, the
reason that I'm voting no on 259 is that I believe that we we have we improperly hired and paid vendors over the last six weeks. And I want to be on record so that our new accounting firm can
review our policies and procedures and recommend corrective actions and that we ensure compliance with the state laws. So I'm going to be a no on 259. That's all I have.
>> All right. Thank you, Commissioner Pat. Do we have any online public comment? No, we we don't have anything. Okay. >> Kathy Heitzman's 22 uh South uh pardon me, South Adams Avenue in Margate. Um in
regards to this, and I know Ed and I have talked many times and he's just been fabulous in terms of working with all of us in the neighborhood. But I agree with Mr. Bloomberg and that there are many many negative negative I have
not heard one positive p one person talking about positive that's like you're on the beach talking and you know you're saying hey did you hear about what's what's going on and I have not heard one positive person in terms of this project including our businesses
which need you know they need to have this this situation like the girl from Avera that spoke at that meaning it's going to really hurt our people at this level. So, I just wanted to share that with you. And also, when you talked about misinformation,
is there a way that you can and I'm not asking Ed to do this because he's worked so hard on this in terms of what the final what our final um project is. >> I think it's on the website with a pointby-oint explanation of what the project is. >> Okay. So it's on the website point
>> a point by point explanation in plain language what's >> and that's current and that's accurate. >> Yes. The plans were updated when the revisions were made with a itemized uh change list. Okay. Uh provided by Ed. >> Thank you.
>> Stephen Alman 9003 Amherst Margate. Um with regard to the advisory board, we were never asked to do any surveying. Uh we could I mean it's one of the things I consider to be something I'm really good
at. Had we gotten a mandate from the commission to do that I would have seen that it was done but it to my knowledge uh no uh uh effort was made in that regard. Thank you, Steve.
>> And 7702murist Avenue. Um, I had made a suggestion to Pat and also to this group about almost a year ago about prices. It's going to cost us here for these different projects. For instance, like the dredging, I was told, "Oh, I don't I
don't know. I don't know. I don't know." By Ed. And now we're at a point where we've been approved with a license. What's the cost to the consumer to our taxpayers here? Also, what's going to cost for Washington to do it? >> So, uh, the award for the Washington
Avenue project is on the agenda and I believe that was uh approximately $3.8 million. >> Well, that's what I'm saying. It can be put on the things here that we can read. >> I'm saying the details of the resolution. And then as far as dredging goes, the we have our permit in place.
We have our disposal sites that we can use. We have not done engineering estimates because we haven't even decided what a phase one looks like, what a phase because uh it's very complicated. There's >> I mean >> I don't want to say it hasn't been done. Ed has has all the phases lined up. He
has not consulted with commission to say do we want to proceed in this order. Dredging can only occur June 15th to December 15th every year. So our permit is in place. We can only at this point with awarding a contract we will only be able to begin dredging in June which obviously is our
busy season. So there are some things where we have that we have to make some decisions >> based on >> but I'm saying you know certain prices now so they should show on these lists what you know put on that other things cost to show at a different time so we know how much debt
>> and they do and the the again the details of the resolution show all of the bids I believe Joanna correct they show >> it doesn't show what the estimate there is an estimate that you know that what you're looking at like you said the lead replacement of lead things could be millions so you they're dredging could
be so many millions. There's an estimate that you do before you start a project. >> So, it's my understanding like the first phase the estimate is around 5 million. >> Well, that's what saying we don't know that. That's put it give us an estimate and then eventually you'll give us what a cost is going to be if it's more than
that or less, but we have no idea what it's going to be more how much more debt is going to be added to Margate for these project. Dennis, you know, Ed, you could probably explain it better, but the dredging project is is complicated throughout this whole permitting process because our dredge hole was altered and that significantly changes the financial
implications project. So an any estimate would have >> would not have been accurate. So now that we have accurate information, we can provide that >> for the treasuring. I would say to think about this would be like if we had an item on the agenda that's or in my report that said we eventually need to pave all the streets and market, right? Well, we wouldn't give an estimate for that. As we go through paving the
streets, we'll say this is how much the street's going to cost. This is how much the streets and once what'll happen next, Dennis, is I think now that we have the permit, we're going to key in on what is phase one and then you'll start to see numbers on what we expect phase one. >> All right. Well, that's the thing. It's been eight years. So, I would expect phase one to be done already. Okay. But
if we can find a cost what these are going to be or an estimate to go along with it. >> Yeah. And and Ed's estimates are included in every one of our bond ordinances because that has to provide that. We do every time we we authorize a you bump it in with other costs. We
don't have it individually broken out. That's what we're looking for. You get a bond for $3 million. We'd like to know that $3 million is so much of his dredging project, so much for buying something for the police or fire department. Okay. Lumping it together
doesn't help us to see where the money's going to. And I I take it we don't have somebody now doing the finance. >> We have a finance department. >> You have a finance department? >> We do. >> Okay. Do you have somebody o over that finance department?
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg is oversees the finance. >> As long as said we have somebody looking over it. Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Still good. Pat with online. >> All right. >> Yes. Is there a motion to close public comment on resolutions? Motion
>> second. >> Mayor Collins, >> yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> Johanna, will you proceed, please? >> May I have a motion for the introduction of ordinance number 18-2025,
an ordinance amending chapter 183-6, schedule of fees 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 ordinance number 19-2025, an ordinance amending ordinance number 11-2025, fixing salaries and compensation of certain officers and employees of the
city of Margate City, county of Atlantic, New Jersey. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. May I have a motion for resolution
number 259 2025 authorizing bill payment and claims? Motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> No. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. May I have a motion for resolution
number 260 2025 authorizing transfer of appropriations between sub accounts between capital ordinances? Motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn.
>> Yes. >> May I have a motion for resolution number 263 2025? A resolution requesting approval of items of revenue and appropriation NJS48 colon 4-87.
Motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. I'm happy to take the grant money. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. May I have a motion for resolution
number 261205 authorizing award of contract for FY 2023? Uh >> if you could vote on 264 prior to 261, please. >> Oh, I thought it was 263. Both of them. Okay. May I have a motion for resolution
number 264 2025? Resolution requesting approval of items of revenue and appropriations at NJS4A colon 4- 87. Motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. May I have a motion for resolution number 2612025 authorizing award of contract for FY2023 TASA Washington Avenue streetscape and
FY2023 SST Bentner Avenue Transit Improvement motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins, >> yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> no. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes.
May I have a motion for resolution number 262-2025 designating authorized signitories for municipal bank accounts? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn. >> Yes. May I have a motion for the consent agenda which includes items of business which are not controversial which is resolution number 265-2025 [Music]
through resolution number 275-2025 motion >> second. Mayor Collins, >> yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg, >> yes. >> Commissioner Horn, >> yes. >> Thank you, Johanna. We will now open up to public comment. If anyone has any
comment, please step forward. State your name and address. >> Yeah. Dennis Gioski, 7702 Amhurst Avenue. Um, I like to know though what goes on with the building from permits. I I said I'd like to know what's going
on with like inspections and everything. We had a house that was built >> that was a disgrace. The actual site that they built a house did not have the proper m um machines to catch the soldust that my house and my neighbor's
house were covered in sawdust. They had I don't know how many times permits that came out. They took two dump trucks after we reported it, my neighbor and I, about what was going on at this site, and finally they send
somebody out only to have the them clean up the site, but continue to work. So, what's going on? How are they able to build a house? So, thank you, Dennis. As Pat said, any, you know, specific individual department related questions,
uh, will be relayed. So, uh, Palma, if you could maybe get some get an answer to that. I can >> after the Okay. >> Okay. So, I I'm familiar with the property you're referring to. >> Yes. Okay. >> And, uh, we have addressed the issue and
penalties have been >> But why did it >> Why did it take the people who live on that block watch a house built from the ground up? So there had to be inspections done on the foundation on
the uh back framework or whatever >> and those never was addressed >> are separate from our local ordinances related to cutting plastics and such. >> So somebody can build a house violate all this and get away with it unless the
people report it. We have nobody to go around and check these sites. >> We do. >> You do? But they miss this one. from start to beginning till we made to start to finish. We're the ones that called. You don't have two dump trucks
come in and clean up a site for like a day or a week's worth of work. >> I think I answered the question. I'm sorry. >> So, the answer is we don't have anybody doing it. We do have somebody driving around and as I said again again again Palma could look into this matter further and
>> they need to because it was a disgrace that this person got away with it in our we suffer here when there's supposed to be actual laws or something saying you're supposed to catch the sawdust and all that. They didn't. They just let it fly all over the place. They had junk
all over the place. They didn't have the actual forms around the building protecting children that ride their bikes along the sidewalks. >> But that's what you want. That's fine. >> No. And we always appreciate feedback from from the residents when when you see this, >> right? But it took but we are not we
don't work for the city. Okay. We have city employees that should be going around checking the sites. If we're that busy, we can hire so many more people in different departments. I'm sure we can help out in the other departments. But I I mean if I have if the police are
driving around in a car and see a site like that, they can make a referral. >> It was addressed. >> Thank you, Dennis. >> It was addressed. Yes. After somebody called you. >> Thanks. >> Real quick before the next comment, um
resolution 275 through 025. I I was on the impression it was going to be pulled, but I wanted to make sure that um it's understood that's a provisional appointment. I'm not sure it was actually written that way on the the resolution. I'm
pretty sure it wasn't. So when that provisional >> So do we need to reread it or >> read on the consent agenda for review >> and consent? public. Can you hear that? >> Just wait a second.
>> It said the matter 27525 was on the consent agenda for adoption. Uh as to these specific aspects of it, um if they are to be altered, you probably need to revote um with those amendments included into it. >> Okay. >> Or table it for today and then reissue
or reintroduce it at another meeting. Can't but it needs to be done today. It sounds like in some fashion. So, >> okay. So, may I have a vote to rescend resolution number 275205? >> Motion. >> So, Kyle, rescend it and then make an
amendment and do it or can we make an amendment before rescending it? >> What I would probably do is make a motion to amend 27525 to include the language as uh indicated by the administrator. May I have a motion to amend resolution
the language of resolution number 2752025 to state that it is a provisional appointment? Motion >> second. >> Mayor Collins. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg. >> Yes.
>> Commissioner Horn. Yes. >> Thank you, Pat. And >> sorry. >> Appreciate that. We will continue with public comment. Von Real, 6 North Mansfield Avenue. And I'd like to comment about last Thursday, uh, October 9th's commission meeting. Uh, and I want
to forget about the fact that I hired the CFO, uh, Lisa McGlaughlin to automate our general ledger in 2003 when it was being done on paper, so it was ripe for graft. Also, let's forget about the fact that I attended Blessed Sacrament with her and Holy Spirit High
School and that she's a born and bred local and I see her in church on every Sunday and she's one of the most irritatingly principled person that I know and is also highly uh has has a high highest level of integrity that you can imagine. forgetting all those
things. This 22year city employee, the CFO, whose audits for the most recent two years, had zero comments, perfect audits. I don't know how many cities in the state of New Jersey can claim that, but I can tell you it's a very small
minority. She's under threat of removal. And the main charge when I read this is that she unsuccessfully attempted to enter a cityowned computer of a subordinate who
had been out for 3 days so she could obtain any outstanding purchase orders to avoid any late penalties or fees to make sure things were running as efficiently oper operating as efficiently as she has been doing for 22
years. And she admitted to this because it was a sanctioned behavior under the prior business administrator. Yet she's under threat of removal. On October 9th in the video, and I was here,
it indicates our new BA hired a private investigator without the knowledge of Commissioner Blumberg or consent. and mayor and commissioner horn, you guys didn't validate whether you had knowledge or consent either. The same video,
Commissioner Blumbberg, and let it be on the record. We seldom see eye to eye, Commissioner, but Ray, I am lock step with you on this one. These allegations, according to him on the record, appear retaliatory and incorrect. And reading them, I I see it. Yet, the city's still
proceeding. This is awful. I can only assume that your legal team's getting ready for a counter suit because when you look at your ordinance creating the BA position, it states the following. And this is ordinant ordinance 200724
that creates the BA position. By the way, when you read these shall means must. The municipal administrator shall be under the supervision and control of each member of the board of commissions.
commissioners as it shall relate to the departments directly under their control. It goes on to say as part of their duties must supervise and coordinate the administration of all departments and
offices in consultation with the commissioner of each respective department. I don't see any of that happening here because Mr. Blumbberg didn't know anything about this. So, I'm sure you're going to get counter suits. Now, with that said, the new BA's been
here for 11 months. In 11 months, he's got a 22 year old uh veteran employee with perfect audits under a file of complaint for removal and a $500,000 suit against Commissioner Blumbberg.
It's not the way we behave in Margate, not with a born and bred local. The best analogy I can think of, and I'm almost done, guys. The best analogy I can think of is three owners because you are in a Walsh form of government. You're three CEOs operating independently.
The best analogy I can think of is three investors buy a building and that building's being run by a great accountant that always makes the numbers fit and then he desire decide to hire a guard dog and within the first 11 months the guard dog bites the accountant,
bites one of the owners. Eventually, that means you got to get rid of the guard dog because if you don't, what's to say the dog doesn't turn on you? And if you don't think your other employees are saying, "Hey, am I next to have a private investigator investigate me?"
Because apparently there's no control. He can do it without department's consent. And I know there's some issues because she's a CFO, so it crosses departments. But if you think that nuance is going through the rest of these employees, hey, am I next? Are you next? It's just not the way we behave,
guys. Not in Margate. You don't hire a private investigator around the back of the commissioner whose department it's in. My recommendation is get rid of the guard dog before he does any more damage because it's got to be more damage. You will have counter lawsuits here. That's
it. I'm done. And I'm really disappointed. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. just so the commission is aware this is public comments that doesn't require response and if anybody's intending to respond there wasn't any employees rice notice or anything like that with
respect to today's >> I apologize um with respect to comments on anything with respect to specific employees um or potential litigation I just ask you not to comment on those type of things >> I Dan Lovelin 120 South Jefferson
Avenue, apartment 102, Margate City, New Jersey. Um, I can't keep up with Vaughn, but the the idea, the fundamental idea that you have somebody suing you for a half a million dollars and you're going to
charge up the hill behind the person suing you to go after a 22-year veteran employee. There's just no way that that makes any common sense at all. By doing this, you're opening the floodgates for the person who's suing
the the city to do all sorts of additional research already hired a private investigator on the city's dime. So, how that information is going to be used for his personal lawsuit, this is this is nuts. This is absolutely insane. I've been in
a bunch of different businesses. I've I've worked for public entities. I've never seen anything like this where a an employee who's in the middle of a lawsuit is given so much access to every record that you have that you might as well just hand him a
check. Just hand him a check. That's all. Get in. Margie Real, 6 North Mansfield Avenue. I thank you for your time. Um, I too am going to comment on the suit against
Lisa McGlaclin brought on by our less than one-year tenur business administrator. He has two suits against people within our city within a year. Um, one against Commissioner Blumberg and now one against the CFO.
um at a cost of an investigation to the city at a cost of $5,000 which was not approved by at least at very least not approved by Commissioner Blumberg, the
department head of Lisa. Um he has a history of harassment and retaliation. Allegedly there was a suit in Galloway against him. Um so it goes to um you
know a pattern that we see in the business administration the business administrator um commissioner Blumberg who Lisa was a direct report to um as Vaughn had mentioned um under the Walsh
act it's like there are three CEOs one of each department he had no prior knowledge and did not approve move prior to this suit being filed. Um he refers to Lisa McGlaclin as an exemplary
employee. She um he's been here as commissioner for 19 years. He's overseen her department for 15 years. Um that speaks volumes. Uh Lisa I've known for a very long time. She's a lifelong member
of our community. She's loyal. She's honest. She's a hard worker and I know her. She would never do anything to jeopardize a her reputation, b her integrity, and c her license. Um, I
recommend I urge you guys to please drop this lawsuit, stop the harassment. And you know, in my opinion, I would recommend you uh investigate and terminate the business administrator.
Thank you for your time. I know. I'm telling you, Dennis Cornoski, 772 772 Ammeris Avenue. I'd also like to say the same thing about Lisa. I am not one of a big promoter of the three of you in the past.
the last two years since I've gotten to know her about the budgets and everything and these tax increases, she is the only one that I have seen that really puts an effort into explaining to the public why we have tax rate
increases, not the BS I get from up top there. And I am shocked that you're telling me that you're going to let somebody run the finances here in Margate and put the onus on Mr. Bloomberg there who runs the department.
He's not the CFO. And you're going to say you're going to hire somebody to come into right now into her position and try to do what she's done with the amount of debt that the three of you are incurring with all these projects.
It doesn't make sense at all. And what I'm hearing here that you two, Mrs. Horn and Mr. Collins, you will not admit or say you didn't authorize an investigation of her for
$5,000. If it's going to come out, it's going to come out in the suit. And if you did do that without Mr. Blumbberg's okay and at least have a vote into it, then the two of you should remove yourself from the panels there. Thank you.
Jan Weber 9 East Gilmore Circle. >> What? >> It's not working. >> What do I do? >> That's as far as I go. >> I'll speak up. Jan Weber, 9 East Gil Mar
Circle. Um, next month I'll be a Margate resident full-time for 35 years. I don't really know any of you or the people you're talking about. Um, I've lived through numerous mayors and
commissioners, obviously. Um, never have I experienced what's going on here. Um, what is the status of all of the lawsuits? One, two, three, four. How many are there? Who are they filed
against? Who filed them? This is public information. I'd like to know because the reason I want to know is because I'm a taxpayer and this is costing me money. So, I'd like to know what is the cost for all of this. Don't look at me like
>> I'm I'm going to instruct you guys not to answer with respect to anything specific with litigation uh or personnel matters. Obviously, um that information if you are seeking it, ma'am, is publicly accessible on online through the court system. >> I'm sorry, who are you? >> Um Kyle Weinberg. >> Who?
>> Kyle Weinberg, >> attorney. >> Okay. And you work for the city? >> Um I'm serving as solicitor tonight. Yes. Our firm, I think, does serve as labor counsel to the city. >> Okay. So, where do I get all the information? >> You can get it on the superior court's website, state of New Jersey. There's an ecort system there that you can type in
whatever information you're trying to seek and then there's that'll give you any information that may be available that's out there. >> So you're not allowed to tell me how many lawsuits >> I don't know filed again you're you don't know the answer or you don't >> I don't know the answer first of all and I'm going to instruct them not to answer
anything with respect to any lawsuit. >> Instructed by who? >> Me. >> I'm telling them not to. >> I understand Steve. Thank you. Um, so basically I'm not going to get any information about the lawsuits, how many have been filed and what they're costing
the taxpayers of the city of Margate. >> Like I said, ma'am, that's readily accessible online if it's out there. Um, I'd encourage you to probably look through that avenue to to access that information. >> Is there anything that the commissioners want to add to what he said?
>> Again, we're not at liberty to speak on on the individual cases. If I knew an answer as to how many lawsuits and the cost, I would >> the certain the animosity that the three of you have shown >> during your tenure
is um reh irrehensible. had anything online. All >> right. Is there a motion to close public comment? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumberg? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn? >> Yes.
>> Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mayor Collins? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Blumbberg? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Horn? >> Yes. >> Thank you everybody for coming. Enjoy your evening.