All right, it's called to order the uh council meeting of Thursday, Octo August 6, not October. Uh let's start with a pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. 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. >> Please bow your heads for a moment of silence. >> Amen. Mr. Crowley here, >> Mr. Winslow here, Mr. Barnes here, Mr. Hartzel here, >> Mr. Kelly here, >> Mr. Lovech, Mr. Pchini
>> here. Okay. >> Adequate notice of this meeting has been given pursuant to public law 1975, chapter 231, >> we will go to the mayor and administration for reports. And one thing I'll add um based on um some comments we're going to try is I'm going
to go back to the mayor um later in the meeting so he can answer uh any of the comments that come up um if applicable. So Jay >> Okay. Thank you, Terry. Uh tonight is I've said this a couple times before, but we're going we're recommending two contracts for the 34th Street playground
recreation area. We're hoping to break ground around September 14th and the entire facility will be ready in time for next summer. We have a $3.5 million grant uh from the county to offset the cost. Again, the project will include a state-of-the-art playground, a new
building with restrooms and offices, new basketball courts, uh dunk court, tennis courts, and we'll be adding pickball and an outdoor stage for some familyfriendly events. Uh this work will continue our efforts to bring new life down 34th Street. We've been doing stuff on
Wednesday nights uh from 6:30, 8:30. Uh that has been going very well down there. We have two projects coming after Columbus Day. The demolition of the old public safety building is expected to begin on October 13th. That's the Tuesday. Uh construction of new building
will begin early in the new year. And reconstruction of the boardwalk between 14th and 16th Street is also expected to begin on October 13th. We have to get on that so we don't lose any of our grant money. Uh we finally have received the official tax rate from the state and the
county. So, if anybody's wondering why we have uh delays, it's the state and the county have not uh gotten them to us. So, the grace period will be extended to September 8th. Our brereech replenishment is going well and now we have new wide beaches uh up to the music pier. They'll probably be swinging
around the music pier in the next few days. Uh everything's going well and we're going to get to about 11 street and then they're going to flip around and head back uh to First Street to North Street. So, and finally, I just want to thank Dave and everybody for a night in Venice. It's one of those events that makes me a little nervous
each year when you have boats and activities and festivities and all those kind of good things. And our float tail at 17th Street, but I I think everybody in the city and our public safety, everybody did a great job. And most of all, the residents in the community were uh was a it was a really nice event.
Everybody did what they had to do and uh I just want to be thankful. So Dave, thank you for what you do for the night. That's all I got. If I can add, I've been doing a parade since 1983 and this was by far the smoothest parade we've ever had. You know, we had huge fire and
police and Coast Guard presence and I think people had a great time and uh every everybody really worked together and I commend the fire and police because while everybody's playing, they're working. Uh it and we had very very few incidents. Coast Guard was great, too. Very supportive of the city.
So, it turned out to be a really good event this year. >> Thanks. >> Great. Thank you. Thank you, mayor. Um, see some new faces. So, we're going to go to our first citizen comment. The first citizen comment is on agenda items only. Then we'll have a second public comment later on where you can talk
about whatever you'd like to talk about. So, if you signed up and you it wasn't for an agenda meeting, I will get to you, but just let me know. So, Donna Ranganese. >> Okay. But we'll we'll come back to you. Donna D Roacher.
>> Okay. We'll get back to you, Donna. Chuck, >> is it on the agenda or >> Oh, no. It's not on the agenda. It was on the agenda a couple weeks ago. >> Okay. Well, then well, we'll we'll get through the meeting and we'll we'll get come back to you in round two.
>> Yeah. Will it be on be on 6:30 I think for anyone to speak or is it at the end of the meeting? >> I don't know how meeting long the meeting will be, but it's towards the end. >> All right. I may have to be >> Okay. But if not, you can always call me. All right. Uh Lisa Tiff
>> agenda. >> Okay, great. >> Uh Lisa Tiff, 14 Asbury Road, Ocean City. Uh I'm reading because I get nervous if I don't read. So, um my comment is on resolution 26235 and
26236. Um good evening, council and president. I'm encouraged to see all these items on the agenda and hope that you will adopt the boardwalk subcommittee report as an important resource for moving forward.
Adopting the report doesn't lock you into every recommendation. It doesn't end the discussion and it certainly doesn't prevent you from making changes as more information becomes available. What it does do is send an important
message to the public. It tells me and all the residents of Ocean City that the months of work put in by the subcommittee actually matters. These were volunteers who invested a great deal of time in research, attending
meetings, debating difficult issues, and working to find common ground. The report isn't perfect or pretend to have every answer. Instead, it identifies important findings, raises legitimate concerns, and recommends additional
studies and analysis before major decisions are made. This is exactly what thoughtful public policy should do. By adopting the report, you're acknowledging that the work has value. You're telling the
community that this wasn't an exercise to check a box, but a meaningful step in the planning process. It would be a vote to use the report as a foundation for the work ahead. I hope that you'll adopt the report and send a
clear message that citizen participation matters, thoughtful work matters, and that council intends to build on that work rather than set it aside. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh reports from city council. Jim.
>> Yeah. Yeah, if I can just say real real briefly. Um, I want to express my admiration to the administration and their partners who are performing the Ocean City Beach replenishment. This is important work. It protects our property, our loved ones, and supports our community's economic vitality. I am
happy to tell friends and family that there is no better place to spend a day than on Ocean City's replenish beaches. Councilman Pchini and I spent some time together speaking with business owners, their team members, customers, and beachgoers about the work. Councilman Lechek walked the boards with me and
shared his perspective. Here are a few thoughts I compiled from these observations and conversations. The city's communication systems, channels, and processes are a valuable resource. Mitigating the impact on businesses and daily life is a critical part of major
projects and city financial objectives should place a high priority on sustaining this program. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the administration in this regard. >> Thanks Jim. J is looking great. The drone show is excellent and summer's
great so far. >> Good. Keith can't beat that. Sean, >> nothing. >> Tony, >> uh, just to piggy back off, Jim, um, I do think the business owners really appreciated us making an effort to come up and try to, you know, see what was
going on and to try to help them a little bit. And, you know, I know that we needed it done. Timing isn't perfect, but I know that we needed these beaches done. So, I appreciated Councilman Kelly to come out with me and try to just, you know, help and smooth over a little bit
of the frustration of the business owners cuz they only have a few months to make it. And, uh, so I hopefully that helped out. So, I appreciate that. >> All right, Dave. >> Nothing. >> I have nothing. I have a motion to adopt the regular city council meeting minutes
of Thursday, July 16th. >> So moved, Kelly. >> Second. Winslow. >> Mr. Crowley. >> Yes. Mr. Winslow, yes. >> Mr. Barnes, >> yes. >> Mr. Hartzell, >> yes. >> Mr. Kelly, >> yes. >> Mr. Lovechuk, yes. >> Mr. Pini, >> yes.
>> All right. Brings us to the consent agenda. All resolutions listed on the consent agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be acted by one motion. If the mayor or any council person wishes a particular resolution to be considered separately, it will be removed from the consent agenda. Does
anyone have anything to be removed? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Uh, Mr. President uh 26 235 and 26 236. >> Okay. >> Start with the 23 26 235. >> Yeah. >> A resolution adopting the boardwalk
subcommittee report as a resource to inform future boardwalk planning and development. >> Okay, David, you pulled it. Okay. On back on July 17, 2026, attorneys representing the local group Ocean City
2050 issued a formal litigation hold notice to the city council and nine other parties in reference to 600 640 boardwalk. In the letter, parties were directed to preserve all documents, communications, electronically stored information, other records that may
relate in any way to actual threatened or reasonably anticipated litigation or governmental proceedings concerning 600 640 boardwalk. The litigation notice hold hold notice goes on to say that this reservation obligation is effective
immediately and remains in effect until you receive formal written notice from council or an authorized representative that the hold has been released. Therefore, these two resolutions tonight before us, 26235 and 26236
are in fact part of litigation hold notice and may may become relevant to an anticipated pending legal dispute and may give rise to increased liability to city council. Since Ocean City 2050 has publicly stated they may file a lawsuit
and since we have not yet received that notice as to the elements of the lawsuit, it would be inappropriate for city council to approve these resolutions. In addition, the city council's attorney uh that we hired in reference to help
the governing body navigate 600 boardwalk has advised that it is not recommended that the city take formal action on in connection with this property other than as contemplated and authorized by revel redevelopment law.
In addition, I want to reiterate that I support the the boardwalk subcommittee's findings and strategic recommendations. As chairman of the committee, I spent months working on the committee along with uh eight other colleagues uh in drafting and drafting the final report.
I see an urgency to move forward in addressing the future of this property as it sits and decays. Yet a resolution is not necessary for the city council or the planning board to take up a review of the report and determine appropriate action actionable steps as based on
recommendations of the subcommittee uh report. Therefore, I'd like to make a motion to table resolution 235 based on the anticipated legal legal litigation and on the advice of legal counsel. >> Okay, I have a motion. Doy
>> for a second. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Um, roll call. >> Mr. Crowley >> the table. Yes. >> Mr. Winsow. >> Yes. >> Mr. Barnes. >> I would like to discuss it. Um,
we just put the vote right. >> Yeah. You're subject to Robert's rules of order according to the administrative code. So, I'm going to tell you that procedurally once there's a motion to table, there's no discussion. You go right to a vote. Where are you?
>> I'm not with I don't I'm close the table here. >> Mr. Hartzel. >> No. >> Mr. Kelly, >> no. >> Mr. Lovech. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pulchini. >> Yes.
>> Okay. >> So, the motion pass 43. Is that correct? >> 43. Which brings us Dave on 26 236. >> Um I'd like to just reiterate what I said. I don't I don't do I have to read want me to read? >> No. >> I'll just reiterate same applies to um
26 236. Uh the planning board several members of the planning board were participants on the subcommittee. They understand the report. They understand the final report and were part of it. And if they should so decide to take up the actions as recommended by the
subcommittee report, again I stand by those recommendations, they are free to do so. And based on the pending litigation, I don't think it's appropriate for us to have to take any formal action to get them to do that. >> Make a motion like to make comments before the >> motion to table.
>> Would you have the clerk just read the title just for the record? Can you just make a comment? >> 26-236, a resolution referring boardwalk subcommittee report to the planning board and requesting the board's evaluation and recommendations. >> Okay. So, you can ask if the Councilman
Winsaw made a motion, you can ask for a second. >> We could uh council um could I ask a quick question since there's been comments? Can we make comments before the motion to table? We'd just like to make comments. >> He's already made the motion. >> So, the question is whether there is a
second. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Now you go to a roll call. >> Okay. Mr. Crowley. >> Yes. >> Mr. Winsow. >> Yes. >> Mr. Barnes. >> If we're trying to speed up what happens
up there in the boardwalk, this is not a good plan. I'm opposed to it. >> Okay. Mr. Hartzel, >> no. >> Mr. Kelly, >> no. >> Mr. Lovech, >> yes. Disabled. >> And Mr. Pulchini? >> Yes. the table.
>> Okay, which brings us to the remaining items on the consent agenda. Do I have a motion to approve uh the remaining items on the consent agenda? >> So, move Winslow. >> Second. >> Okay. Mr. Crowley,
>> yes. >> Mr. Winslow, >> yes. >> Mr. Barnes, >> yes. >> Mr. Hartzell, >> yes. >> Mr. Kelly, >> yes. >> Mr. Lovef, >> yes. >> Mr. Pulchini, >> yes. Okay. Pending business. David. >> No pending. >> Tony. >> No. >> Sean. >> Nothing. Pending.
>> Keith. Pending. >> No pen. >> No. >> Okay. New business. Jim. I'll just come back around. New business. Um, I think I'm going to make my comments
during new new business if that's okay. >> If there's anything improper about that, council. Okay, thank you. Um, I'll make uh comments about resolutions 26, 235, and 236. Um, these resolutions are about moving forward. Moving forward and
finding a solution for Wonderland and updating our on boardwalk zoning district. The boardwalk subcommittee report is a resource that will help us move forward more effectively, more efficiently, and more expeditiously. As leaders, we need data, broad
stakeholder input, subject matter expertise, and a command of the core issues and values at stake when making critical decisions. In this instance, the subcommittee report provides a lot of what we need. The work has already been done.
Commissioned by city council, nine diverse, dedicated citizens shared their knowledge, expertise, experience, and developed a datadriven, fact-based report and set of recommendations we can begin to use immediately. I believe we
should use the subcommittee report as a resource. Another benefit of do of adopting the report as a resource is we can then credibly ask the planning board to evaluate the report and provide us the board's perspective on the report's
findings and recommendations. The planning board's evaluation and perspective will be an invaluable resource to us in negotiating and developing a durable solution for Wonderland and creating updated zoning
for the onboard on boardwalk district. The planning board members have a breadth of relevant knowledge, experience, and command of the tenants of our master plan. we will be better prepared, better equipped, and better informed with the planning board's
input. I believe we should secure the planning board's expertise. I have reviewed Mr. Rididgeway's recommendation and appreciate his caution. However, as a leader, I must balance legal risk with the broader objectives at hand. As indicated by his
recommendation, resolutions 26235 and 26236 pose no imminent risk of adverse litigation. And while there is always risk in taking any action in this matter, there is far greater consequence
in doing nothing. We must move forward. I am ready to move forward. I would have voted yes. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Um, Jody, thank you, Jim. >> No new business. And I I agree with Jim and I wish I would have heard that sort
of enthusiasm from uh certain groups who hold litigation now beginning that process over a year and a half ago. So, uh because of uh discussions with the same attorney who's been appointed to this board, uh based on his recommendations and the threats, I'll
call it uh the ongoing threats, uh I will pass on this for now. But I do agree, >> Keith. Uh just a small piece on this. Um you always ask attorneys what side do you want to be on and I talked to a number of attorneys and none of them saw
an issue with this whatsoever. I don't see an issue with it. Um you separate that litigation out that's on on rehab. We need to get moving folks. We need to get moving and we have to get moving. We should already be negotiating with the
owner and we should already be looking at um potential warrants to take care of this. I I don't see how anybody would come after us for negotiating with the owner or trying to
write an ordinance. So adopting this that means we're just adopting it. We're not making any formal action. There's zero formal action in adopt zero. And then sending it to the plan board to ask them to look at it. That's that's still not a formal action to me. All that
basically is is It's time to do the job. I mean, the public wants us to solve this and I don't I don't understand this at all. These are two simple things. Hey, we're accepting the report. Nothing wrong with that, folks. And you know what? Let's get it down to the planning
board so they can so they can comment on it. Um, this was rewritten by Mr. Kelly a couple times so it would get right down to not being binding and basically just being a request. And I'm I don't take a request as a formal action. I think a request is
actually what it is. It's a request. And we need to get moving, folks. We just need to get moving. >> Okay. Keith, I'm sorry, Sean. >> Uh I agree with the comments that councilman have made for me. Um as far
as I can tell, nothing's happened up there with the developer in this project yet. And I agree, we need to get something started. Now, I read these two documents. I know they've been there's been several iterations of it and they're I think relatively benign. There's it just gives the public an indication. Yeah, we're listening to the
public. We put this committee together of nine private individuals who have spent countless hours and research and time putting together this report and now we're not going to give it any weight. We haven't given them any weight yet and we have it sounds like we're not going to give it any weight in the future. Both of these docu documents
cons consistently use the word it's a resource. We're looking for the board's evaluation and recommendations. Why this hasn't been sent to the to the planning board previously is is probably is beyond now why we have we have those experts down there. Why don't we just
send them this report? It's all this this resolution is asking us to do to formally send it down to them. Um I supported the resolution because I it does one simple thing. It allows the subcommittee report to be used as a resource when considering possible local
redevelopment plan. I believe in doing this we may gain public trust in the process which I believe we've lost. This resolution does not adopt a redevelopment plan and it does not commit anyone to every recommendation in this report. It simply says the report
should be considered just like library materials, public records, professional studies, maps, public input, or information found online. It's just another resource. Using a resource does not mean surrendering judgment to it. It means gathering information, asking
questions, and making better informed decisions. We ask members of the public to commit their time, experience, and expertise to developing this report. If we ask them to chart a course for us, what message do we send if we fold a map without ever
opening it? If a redevelopment plan is ever developed, it will still need public discussion, professional review, and compliance with the required legal process. Nothing in this resolutions takes that away. For those reasons, I support these
resolutions. They are measured, practical, and transparent. and I would have respectfully voted yes for those resolutions to get passed. I think we're just stalling the process. >> Okay. Thank you, Sean. Tony,
>> um again, it's tough and for me, I'm just looking for me. I feel that in any decision I make when this starts to go to negotiations,
I respected the subcommittee and what they did. To me, this is not sharing that I'm disrespecting them or not taking their advice. I am. It's just not formally, in my opinion, taking it. I
will always respect what they did and the commitment they did and all the voluntary work that they did. everyone that did it, all the council people that took it, I respect that and will always take that into consider consideration
before I make any decisions based on 600 wall. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thanks, Tony. David, >> I don't disagree with what what everybody's saying. I disagree with the process. We have a litigation threatened litigation and I think it's
inappropriate based on what our attorney has said that we take action. There's nothing preventing there's no this is not slowing anything down. The planning board in their next meeting can start going through the subcommittee report. The city council can start going through the subcommittee report. There's nothing
slowing that down unless we want to slow it down. This process is just to protect the city because we don't know what the litigation from 2050 is going to look like. So it it's appropriate to exercise caution at this time until we find out.
Whether or not there's any implication or not that I don't know because I haven't seen a lawsuit, but I I've heard it's coming. So maybe I'd have a different opinion if I had seen a lawsuit. But at this point, uh, I took the advice of council that we we hired
to help us through this process. That's all. >> Okay. Great. Thank you, David. Um, I won't repeat everything. I agree with >> President. I have one more item that's different. I didn't want to mix them. >> Go ahead. >> That's okay. Uh, I just wanted to express my condolences to the P family.
Uh, Kenny Py died last week and he was laid to rest today. And if you want to be totally amazed, you you go to that funeral and you see the outpouring of the brotherhood of not only all of our firemen.
I'm a little choked up. It was so emotional. Um fire all fire departments in Pleasantville Memorial and I don't know where else came in and manned all our stations. So each and every uh firefighter can be there. I saw a lot of
retired firefighters, a lot of firefighters from other cities, an outpouring in the community like I've never seen taken too young. These things are difficult. And I just wanted to tell the Potter family, thank
you. Thank the gift of your son and the fire department, the police department, and everybody involved. Sers Point Police and everything they did to make uh that a shining star of how you laid tribute to
somebody uh that meant so much to his family, to his community, and and to his fellow firefighters. I like I said, I was totally amazed and wiped out by the whole thing. Um, and just my prayers are with them and the family that that the
tributes that were heard uh will continue to bless this community and bless that family through this difficult time. And I just wish when tonight when we go home to say a prayer of thanks for Kenny's life and a prayer for the family. I just wanted to say that, but I don't want to mix it with the other
stuff. >> Thank you for the time. >> Thank you, Keith. Um, and just my comments, not you know, I I I um what Keith just talked about is is super important. He he was a young guy, so um
it is a very sad situation. Um but just to wrap up the the discussion that everyone kind of weighed in, I agree with everything that was said at the table, but I just want to be clear, I hear, you know, saying you need to start negotiating. You need to engage. We sent
this property into a re uh habilitation on June the 24th, just so everyone knows. Since that time, today's 86, so we're coming up on almost two months. I've heard from the the proposed
developer in in a 3minut conversation. Uh nothing about anything. It was procedural stuff. So, we'll negotiate when the time comes, but I we can't control the process and uh there's nothing for us to start when we haven't
been approached with anything. Um, you know, we've all seen the picture that was in the newspaper for the years, but I've never seen real plans. I've never seen some of the things Sean's talking about with studies with uh light and traffic and all that sort of thing. So
until someone comes to us with all that information at that point, we'll disseminate it and the process will be very similar to what we did at 34th Street where the developer will come in, meet with everyone on city council. There's not going to be a committee of
who meets with them and interchanges with them. It's it's going to everyone will hear the same proposal, not all together because of we can't get together. But um that'll be how the process goes. But we've been there's been no approach or no outreach from
anyone in regards to that property. So, uh, you know, we can't really begin doing anything when there's nothing to discuss at this point in regards to that property. >> We can zone it. >> Yep. >> We can zone it. >> Um, and that's my comments. So, with
that, um, Jay, did you want to respond to anything from >> No, we're good so far. Yeah. Thanks. >> Um, citizen comment. I'm sorry. I went I was supposed to come to you after citizen comment. I'm sorry. >> So, let's come to citizen comment. I'm sorry. I'm I I crossed it off.
>> Hi, Terry. Marie Crawford. >> Um I was not aware that city council adopted Robert's rules of order. Um, so which is kind of interesting to have Robert's rules of order used today to silence uh some councilmen from
speaking at what seemed like an appropriate time to raise their objections or just make their comments. Um, and at other times the process has definitely not followed Robert's rules of order. So that's one thing. Second is um I kind of promised you all that I
would stand up here when I thought you were making a mistake, you know. So, um, dog kennel, there's a list. There's a list of the mistakes that have been made. There was an plenty of opportunity to look at the information that you wanted. It's been out there all this
time for Mr. Lovechuk. Um, and uh, I took the time over the last couple weeks to review the master plan and I want to remind council that uh, the primary goal in development is
quality of life for the residents. quality of life for the residents. So, you've hired an attorney who specializes in hotel development and you're taking that advice. So, um I find Mr. Winsler's
comments at the best disguis. If I weren't a lady, I would call it something else. Um so, I have to say that I think those four votes have done exactly what you intended not to do. You've made another mistake.
Another mistake. That report is public. It's public information. It's not just something that's related to what 2050 does or doesn't want. It's public information. So, um, you have slowed the
process down. You have delayed. And to say that, well, the developer is not ready is a reason to delay is also disingenuous. it is up to you to move this along. You're the you're the leadership, right? So, um I'm not happy
with the process that I saw here today from trying to not give time on the floor to council members who had something to say about tableabling this and then making it secondary from the advice we received from uh Mr. uh
Winslow, which is from a hotel developer attorney, right? So, that's that's what I have to say. And um if if you follow Robert's rules of order, I would like to see I would really like to see that, you know, if that has actually been put into
effect on this council because there's many times that you have not followed the rules. Thank you. Sure. >> Thank you. Anthony Dorado at 85 Plaza Place. Uh the only thing I want to
mention is I' I'm involved in a number of organizations following Robert's rules of orders and uh no disrespect ma'am but when you make a motion it's seconded and then there's questions on the motion or discussions on the motion
before the votes actually taken and that did not happen today. Thank you. Okay. >> Anyone else? Peter Muick. I'm a homeowner. 17th Street. I've appeared before and mentioned the fact that I'm a litigator.
Attorney Rididgeway should be here today. Mr. Winslow, your your discussion litigation hold was >> you address the chair, please. >> Mr. Winslow's discussion of what a litigation hold was is completely inaccurate. A litigation hold does not
stop this council, a corporation, or anyone from conducting business. A litigation hold is you preserve your records. preserve your emails, preserve your documents. Doesn't mean you stop functioning. If that were the case, no corporation in America would be able to conduct business each day after they got
a litigation hold, which I can assure you companies receive every day. Mr. Rididge should have been here to explain to the public and to the board why he is saying what he did because by tableabling this resolution, that's not protecting you. What you've done now is
you've backed yourself into a corner and what you've done by refusing to have this council say that the report would be used to inform and to guide negotiations. Well, now you've handed Mr. Ma the argument that the council
does not believe the report and the council refused to direct that the report would be used simply as a guide to inform. Now, who's going to negotiate with Mr. Ma? Is it attorney Rididgeway who's not here today? So, attorney Rididgeway told you that you should
table this resolution. Attorney Rididgeway is now going to negotiate with Mr. Ma. Now, attorney Rididgeway is not bound by that very report. And in fact, if he tries to use it as a resource to inform Mr. Ma is going to argue that that was improper. What the
council did was wholly wrong. It's not based on what a litigation hold is or what it does. You're now delaying things and you've now told the planning committee and the public all of that time spent on that report was for nothing. And not only is it for nothing,
it's not going to be used and it's not going to be used by your attorney you've designated to negotiate. Mccrosen should not have been part of the discussion as to any comment on the resolution. Miss McCrosen should not have been here. Neither should the mayor
when these issues were discussed tonight because you've recused yourself apparently, Miss McCrossen, which is why we have Miss McCrossen should not be here tonight when that was discussed because the reason we're now paying attorney Rididgeway with our tax money is because apparently Ms. McCrossen said
she was conflicted on the boardwalk issue. So, she should not have played any role in that discussion tonight. The council's made a mistake. You should reconsider. you're going to get yourself into a situation where now you can take no action on the boardwalk. If you're not, if you don't believe you can take
the action to adopt the report as a guide, then you can take no action whatsoever and the boardwalk will sit like it is. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next. Anyone else? >> Come on, guys.
>> Good evening. My name is Donna Raganise and I live at 3204 Bay Avenue, less than a block from the proposed cell tower. My family has been there for over 25 years. Although not our primary residence, uh we've never rented it out. I'm a
teacher, so I'm there full-time in the summer and uh my family uses it most weekends and all holidays over the school year. Um, based on the fact that I've paid taxes for that many years, I can only assume that I would still be represented by this board. Uh, even
though I'm unable to vote. I'm sure you've come to the realization that I'm here in opposition to the cell tower. Um, I understand it's current currently in litigation, but I still felt the need to voice my concerns. I've attended a few meetings and frankly I've watched all of them online. One of the comments
made by council early on was that the residents near the capstone building where it was originally supposed to go um were concerned because of health concerns actually uh because their children's bedrooms on the second and third floor were too close. Um
I'm not here to debate the possible health concerns. Frankly, there's so much research you can try it either way. But I will I would like to know how it was determined that my family and neighbors were not as important as those living near the capstone building, which
is why this is something that should have been put in an area that is not as populated as it is. Additionally, based on the proven theory that our property values will decrease uh living so close to a cell phone tower by upwards of 20
to 30%. I wonder if our tax bills will also be decreased by that amount. Lastly, about two to three years ago, I had a problem with my neighbor. Honestly, um for 25 years, we had a problem with this neighbor. I've never contacted uh the township until about
four years ago. It might be five at this point, because in our alley, directly across from my backyard, he parked two gigantic boats. Well, actually one 28 foot wooden sailboat um and one small dinghy. Um it was there for a whole
year. I finally we finally called actually the first time we called the uh city hall was because it we could sit on our porch. Um and raccoons were living in the boat. Um the trailer had completely collapsed, the tires had
completely collapsed. It was a wooden boat, so it was deteriorating. Uh needless to say, I eventually was uh referred to Mr. Winslow as what I understand as my ward representative. Um my kind of going back to the cell tower
two years ago, possibly even three when Mr. Winslow was literally 500 ft away from where that cell tower was going to be. Discussing these boats with me would have been a great time to let me know that they were putting a cell tower. then I would have been at these meetings
a lot earlier. Um, in closing, just as you cons reconsidered the placement of this cell tower for those residents near the capstone, I ask that you aggressively work with the attorneys now involved in the litigation as well as Verizon to move the cell tower out of
the neighborhood as well as dangerously close to a flight path to a more appropriate location such as where the temporary one off Tennessee Avenue is now or any one of the 90 plus appropriate locations submitted at previous meetings by the Syriani
brothers. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else for public comment? >> Good evening. My name is Gene McAffrey, 3220 Bay. And uh you know, just watching the vote on the boardwalk. I'm not here
tonight for that, but would have been nice because there obviously council people that have different thoughts and the only way to solve problems is with discussion, debate, doing it in the public. The motion could have been at that point to move them off the consent agenda to and suspend the agenda so that
the vote on those two motions would have been after the public portion and after your council portions. You could have all been able to comment. the public could have been heard, but instead you kind of found a trick way, right? Make the motion that's not debatable. We all
win. We silence you guys. We silence these guys. And that's what we're here to do, right? We're trying to silence each other to do what we think is right, not what other people might think, right, that disagree, but the people that are here tonight that wanted to speak on the issue. So, I just think that's more consistent than not with the
way you guys govern. And as you succumb to these litigation threat letters that council talked about earlier, this gentleman talked about earlier. I totally agree. You guys cave to the big attorneys, the New York attorneys to
Verizon. You cave. Verizon came in on the MA building and wanted to put three little antennas to have and they were going to shade them and so on and so forth to get coverage down the south end, which by the way, there's not bad coverage on the south end. T-Mobile
doesn't have bad coverage. AT&T doesn't have bad coverage. Verizon has spotty coverage. Why do they only have spotty coverage? Why don't they get on other existing tablets just like AT&T and T-Mobile? But somehow they convinced everyone that the Telecommunications Act
violation was going to somehow ruin the town. And they came in with those three antennas just wanting a baseball and algae, a single up the middle. and you gave them a grand slam, bases loaded, a tower, 125 ft cell tower on a
residential lot that you fell over each other to spot zone, it still is a residential lot. Your conditional use ordinance has a condition that they got to come back to you to see if that's okay. Do you realize if you foreclose on a the times get hard here and you
foreclose on a property on the beach and you own it, that's eligible for a cell tower under your ordinance. Any piece of property you own is now eligible. How is that good zoning? We talked about a master plan. You kicked it over to as as law requires, you kick it over to the
master plan. I'm sorry I have so much to say and so little time with this clock in front of me. But you kick it over to the planning board for their comments on this reszoning, this consent order to reszone that lot by way of a conditional use. Three-page planners report. He
finds it consistent with the master plan. Guess how many times he uses the word resident or residential? Zero. He totally missed the boat. The master plan is to make sure it's consistent with our zonings, our zoning ordinances. Why would anyone
think that a 125- ft cell tower is consistent with residential zones? You guys are smarter than that. You know, you have in your report here in the consent order prepared by your litigation council that
first of all, you're settling this to avoid delay, inconvenience, uncertainty, and protracted litigation. Well, you're inconvenience and expense and delay is my expense at this point. and the people here that are against the cell tower. You don't mind
spending $80,000 for John Krook and Randy Quaid, but you don't want the expense and inconvenience and you're going to put a cell tower next door to me. How does that make sense? You conclude here in this consent order, you conclude that the only two remaining
properties to to solve this problem were the uh baseball field on 35th and this property that you chose. I want to know and I hope you'll answer me because that's really part of what the problem is. Nobody answers and I'll direct you. I know I have to Mr. Crowley direct you. I can't point anywhere or look anywhere.
I'm asking you. Is there a report? Is there a study? Who did that study that narrowed it down to those properties? Who did it? >> We don't do Q&A. >> Why? Because you're unprepared to do it? Because you're not confident in your own
thoughts? Because you don't want to have public debate? At the bottom of your agenda, it talks about debate. You can control debate. You're saying, "I don't want to discuss it." You know why? I might not look too good discussing it because this guy has information and I don't because you didn't do it. If you
did it, you would show me. It's there. It's just wrong. You guys have to do what's right. You're b you're afraid of Verizon and this litigation hold that worries you. But when a group of people have to put their money together to fight this cell tower, you're not afraid
of that. >> I just have one other thing to say. >> Thank you. >> You know what? It says at the bottom of your agenda, approximately 5 minutes, but approximate is when you want to shut me up. >> Thank you. >> You're very good at that, sir. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Anyone else for public comment? >> Sure. Come on up. Sorry, I'm not dressed. I just was out out. Donna Saber, 1324 Asbury. Um I I spoke to you, um Councilman
Crowley. Um, I know it's not my business, but um, there's a carousel on Sixth Street that is celebrating 100 years birthday. It was built in 1926.
and we had an idea to to form a 5013C to access grants to be able so that the burden is not falling on the owner, you know, who's claiming that it's a million dollars to repair. So, we um had wanted
to try to get access to someone who could work with us and I think I spoke to you and you suggested I call you. So I'm just asking you to contact if I call you if you can contact me and we can get we can I mean I don't know if we can go
anywhere with it. We're just talk I know there's a lot of funds that are available for you know his it's a um it's historic um from what I noticed about reading about the rehab zone.
There's two types of rehab zones. one rehab zone is a a historic rehab zone that applies to a historic zone. Um actually the carousel if the carousel is kept there and kept in place and it
could be it could set the set the pace for six 600 boardwalk to be considered a historic zone. Um, so we're just wanting to I mean the other historic zone that's possible there is I guess the castle the
uh steel frame that is is also has been cited by the state as historic because it was pre 1972. I mean I think we all are aware that um the Ocean City Boardwalk is not a slum.
There are not multiple structures. Um, amusement rides are not structures. They're mechanical objects that are controlled by the state of New Jersey. So, they they don't rate a structures to be multiple structures in disrepair to
site this site as a rehab zone. The Ocean City Boardwalk is not a slum. um sixth street where that where that whole beautiful community is Pelum um plaza place I don't think that there are slums that need to be designated rehab
so the zone itself has no structures which are buildings not mechanical objects that would so the only thing that you could say if you passed it as a rehab zone that you could back yourself up by would be to um acknowledge that
the castle structure is um designated as historic as well as the um carousel. So, I just wanted to contact you, Councilman Crowley, to see if I can make a contact with the owner of the carousel. >> Okay, great. Do you have my number? I'm sure >> I do, but every time I call it, I just
never get a return call. >> All right. >> I'll get a return call. >> Yes. >> I'm an 04609822 number. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> I'll make a Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Okay. Anyone else for public comment?
Okay, seeing none. >> Is this just discussion on the tower or is it >> whatever you want to talk about. >> Come on up. Yeah. >> Donna D. Roer, 14 Wesley Avenue. Uh
lifelong resident. Um back in March, I uh came to you uh regarding a particular matter. Uh before I get into that, I would like to commend you that to see that from the north end to the south end of Ocean City, you've gone ahead and put
um bike racks at every uh path to the beach. And it's great service because parking near the beach is impossible even for the uh residents that are on beach block. So a great job in getting
the bike racks for all the uh homeowners and vacationers. I want to bring to your attention how important it is that we have a bench, one or two benches at each of these
paths. Uh this past weekend I took the liberty of uh talking to people at the north end where I live. I have 55 signed signatures of people 90% of the people that came off the beach were so pro
having a bench or two at the at the end of the day. I happened to experience that um there was one um man, young fellow who was coming over the dune from
on the path at North Street and I approached him and told him uh how would you feel about having a bench and he said um well that would be a great idea. He said, "I'm going to get my car right now and my wife's on the beach with the children." So, it would give her a place
instead of having to hold the infant to be able to put the children down and be safe with the cars coming up to pick up others in the turnaround. So as far as that's one person I have them from um I
spoke to adults basically only and there was another situation where um it was very impressive a teenage boy was holding his grandmother's arm as he helped her come over the doom path and
uh he got her to the um sidewalk and I and then um I happened to start talking to her and asked her how she would feel. She had a disabled left leg and here she was waiting for her uh driver to come
pick her up. She had nowhere to sit and people come off the beach. I'm elderly now and I've had some uh serious health issues. So, it would be so nice to have a place to be able to sit and regroup with the heat of the beach and come
trekking over carrying your beach chair, your um beach uh accessories. So, I um do not feel that there's a need where the boardwalk is from St. James to 23rd, but I did see and I've talked and
researched which the survey will the petition will show um from basically St. James, even though the boardwalk starts there, there's the path to the beach just bordering that um ramp. So, from St. James up to Surf would be ideal to
have a bench or two. They don't have to be on the sidewalk. They can be parallel to the path, not interfering with um any um people on a sidewalk or whatever. Wouldn't be in the street either. And
then same for from 24th to 50 um 57th. The city has set up benches basically um from 57th to 59th be it at the um lifeguard station at 57th and south. So I'm asking you if you would consider
doing this um happen to know that there are over 50 benches the halfsiz benches at the end of Sixth Street that aren't being used. Uh same with the longer ones at the north end. There are far too many. They're touching each other. You'll be lucky to see one or two people
sitting on those benches. They could be the shorter benches could be taken by one of the city workers trucks and placed out on Memorial Day and brought back to the warehouse um after Labor Day. Could you be giving the people a
great service just like you do with the bike racks? So uh it's something that these people in two days 55 signatures of people as I said 90% of the people I talked to were willing to sign and it's important to
them and um I believe if you were going to the beach or you had a a young mother in your family with young children and or an elderly person that um even just even if they weren't disabled to give them a place. >> Okay. It would also generate thank you
money >> for the city if you sold the benches. >> Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else? Public comment. >> Hello. >> Hello. >> Uh went to school here. >> Just name and address, please. >> Uh Christian Parkplace. Uh went to
school here primary intermediate high school. uh moved away after high school back and uh I've noticed the water tastes like it has chemicals in it. When growing up I used to drink out of the hose. We were known for having the best water around. That was that's what makes
the wall so great. You know, randos and the Italian rolls. So I don't I know tomorrow morning there's a utilities meeting, but there's I could taste it. The water does not taste the same. And we know our FDA, our entire government
has been infiltrated and corrupted. Uh uh that's a different subject, but I want to I don't know if I can't ask a question. Has uh something been done to the water? Cuz it has a chlorine smell, a taste. It is not the same water that I
grew up with. So I don't know if that's something I ask tomorrow at Ocean City Utility Commission. Uh second thing, all these flock cameras going, "Oh, wait. I'll digress. Back to the water thing. Tomorrow they're talking about uh drought conditions. Yet they're bu
building these data centers whose sole purpose is to spy on Americans. And these data centers are using Olympic size swimming pools every day. So if we're in a supposedly drought condition, wired data data centers being built to spy on American citizens using the water
build. You know, they're talking about windmills out in the ocean to to power stuff. and these data centers are sucking up massive amounts of energy. So, the whole thing is just a croc just like everything else with our government as we uh pledge allegiance to the flag.
I'm a student of history. I don't think most people have realized it. Took me a long time. Uh our republic has fallen. We're on late stage empire decline. That's I could go on about that. The second thing is I grew up here Ocean City High. They prescribed 1984 as a
book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Uh I love reading and now they're banning that book in a lot of school systems. But all these flock cameras going up around the country and it just I'm thinking back 1984 surveillance state. I I can't believe I'm in a country where
people are just giving up every all their rights, all their privacy. And there's that, you know, they they'll put out the trope, oh it's to protect you in case uh somebody gets mugged. we could track them. No, it's designed to basically surveil you 24/7. Even me
coming here, I've probably been picked up on 50 cameras. Uh, that's just the way it is with a certain book. But I don't know what kind of plans are to put up. I see stuff on the boardwalk and I'm like, what is that? Why am I being surveiled? I didn't sign up for this. This is not America that I thought I grew up in, which I realized was the
Matrix. But uh uh that's just uh my just to put it out there. And there's there's groups out there that are taking action against this. We're not to live in a surveillance state. And there's there's quotes for for evil to flourish. All it takes is good men to sit sit around and
do nothing. And that's what I see me being done. even going back to the to the school system and I don't know who here was you know voted yes just know uh when the co came they shut down the churches they shut down the schools like
and we're we're pledging lasers in the flag the constitution wearing the constitution doesn't say if the government uh uh the med the corporate media which operation makim 1970s it was revealed during senate testimony that The CIA had
actually infiltrated most of the media and was putting their talking points through. So when the government, the media, and the pharmaceutical companies are telling people to stick their little kids with untested, unverified COVID jabs. And I
mean, I was telling everybody I know cuz I was like, "Wait a minute. 10 million foreigners just crossed our border illegally while we're locked down. This whole thing is a scab. It's fake." And you know, fortunately, some friends listened. I have friends and family that didn't and some have suffered
repercussions from that. So, you know, the my point being with all this is I grew up here. I love this city. And all it takes is money and power to corrupt it. And that's what I've seen happening across every facet. And and you know, it
was this federal, state, now it's just down to the local levels. They've infiltrated every institution in our country, including our school system. I mean, I was living in San Francisco. You had teachers having middle second graders pledge allegiance to a rainbow flag instead of the American flag. And
that's how that's how insidious it is. And I probably can't even go to one of I I actually would like to go with the primary school. It' be neat to go see my old cafeteria. I can't probably can't even get into that school, but there's teachers inside there pushing this crap. I mean, no any >> Thank you, Christian.
>> Thank you. Anyone else for public comment? All right, we'll close public comment. Jay, >> nothing that I heard with the water. I know sometimes they use um cup pipes compared to plastic pipes. I know we've heard some complaints about that, but
nothing from the water companies. That's all I got. >> Okay. >> There was a question from the guy in the blue blazer about the report. >> Was it What kind of report was there with itself? There was a specific question that he asked. That's a matter that's under litigation. So, I'm I'm not
going to comment on that. >> So, you can't say there's a report, go look for such and such or over it or anything of that nature. >> He's just asking, I guess, where you can find it. We allow them to tell them where you can find it. >> I It's okay. I just want to make sure.
>> Listen, I'm not missing. So, >> frustrating thing is, you know, everybody wants what they want. Everybody has opinions. But as soon as we get sued or there's a threat, I it it finds it challenging sometimes because it you want us to fight it or you want
us to ignore what our attorneys say, it's okay. but when you don't want to. So, it's a very difficult sitting up here and I appreciate everybody's comments and and I get it and I know your frustration, you know, with public comment and all this thing, but if
that's all I'm going to say, lawsuits are unbelievable and Ocean City is a big target. So, yes, we are very cautious and I know people get nervous about that, but if it was the other way around and you were like, why didn't you fight it? It's I'm telling you it's 16 years
of doing this. It's amazing the settlements because of this because it just it's unbelievable. So to me is I applaud you for taking your time on this because reporting all that kind of stuff and I'm but you know I shouldn't say anything so I'm not but I I just is a
very frustrating thing sometimes because we are following law. You guys are doing a great job and nothing's stopping anything from getting done. Nothing's going to slow down. It's just frustrating sitting here sometimes because of accusations and just not talking about the facts, just getting
what you want. And hopefully someday we do all work together and we start doing what's right for us to say, not what we think is right because we don't like somebody. And that is the end of the day is what 90% of it's all about is about personalities. If you don't like somebody, Christ, our president could
solve cancer and you'd still hate them if you don't like them. And I just hope the guy Ocean City gets away from that kind of ugly nasty mentality of just I want what I want. You'll do what I say and if you don't, you're a bad guy. And it's sickening because it's such a silent majority. >> Okay.
>> I you know, thank you Jay. All right. With that, can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion.