--------- Call our meeting to order. >> This is a work session of the mayor and burough council of burough seaside park and county voting state of New Jersey held on Thursday, May 7, 2026 advertised from 7 p.m. Pursuant to the provisions of New Jerseys open public meetings act.
Adequate notice of this meeting was properly provided by transmitting the notice of the meeting for publication to the Asbury Clark Press and the Ocean Star on January 2nd, 2026. Notice of meeting of the governing body also has been posted in the corridor of the municipal building and in the office of
the municipal clerk. Roll call. >> Council member Condos >> here. >> Council member Connor >> here. >> Council member Craft >> here. >> Council member Otanda >> here. >> Council member to >> here. >> Council President Wil >> here. >> Mayor Pearson >> here. >> Thank you.
The first item on work session for discussion is a proposed or proposed amendments rather to the substantial damage regulations that's listed for introduction for first reading tonight as ordinance 22622 at the regular
meeting and can turn it over to council president Wila who's also obviously a long-term member of the planning board and this is come up in various contexts in particular with the uh application
and interpretation with the potential for construction and uh improvements to homes. >> It's come up quite a few times, mayor. Pretty straightforward. Um right now there's a look back period of 10 years for um any kind of substantial
improvements that you want to do on your home. We'd like to bring that to the current year to zero. So that if the 50% rule would come into place if you're going to actually put 50% improvements in your home at one time. >> So basically that's that's the change
that we're looking to do. >> Can you just describe when you say 10-year look back does that mean like what over the timeear period if they're making improvements over that or what it was valued at 10 years prior? No, the look back was for a 10 year period for
10 years worth of permit work that went into your house. >> Oh, okay. >> I didn't understand. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Okay. >> So now, now we're not looking back 10 years. You come in for a permit and give me an example. If your building was worth 200,000, then 50% would be
$100,000 worth of work. >> If it goes over 100,000, you have to bring the whole building into >> new code >> up to the new code, right? right now if that was the case they would look back in the file go back 10 years >> and see what you had done in that lot together
>> a lot of work >> so would this also held for the people that are then going to be subject to the potential real stuff does this make it sort of makes it better right for the homeowner >> yeah that's what I thought okay I just wanted to make sure I understood the 10ear
>> less cumbersome everything for everybody but >> yeah okay thank you >> it became particularly difficult told when you had a sale of a home and the new owner had a proposal for just a room addition or deck or whatever it was and
as applied previously, you had to look back in time with a prior owner and look at permits, records, and it became dicey and difficult. So >> if the previous owner did work and then the new owner came in wanted to do a repair of say replace the front stairs
and back deck that can trigger the 50% >> right because it was the cumulative over that hearing. All right so it sounds like a good thing for the church. >> Yeah >> and it helps that scenario or new kitchen or new bathroom whatever. >> Yeah it's good to explain it the impact.
>> Anything else on that one council? Yeah, >> the second has also been subject matter of a number of issues before the planning board before the code office and uh that too it's a proposed amendments to reduce the permitted
frequency elevation from 2 feet to 1 ft that's listed for introduction ordinance 22623 at the regular meeting. So basically it's um B seaside park adopted after Sandy 2 feet of freeboard. We like
to reduce that back down to one one foot. It would help with the new real rules of 4T. So we feel that it would be excessive for the height of the building and make it a little easier. >> We can't reduce it to um none because
the CRS ratings. So it would have to be >> of 1 ft above >> which would be in line to what the electrical has to be. >> That's pretty straightforward. >> It is >> cuz I also keep then the overall height
could potentially be less than keep it going up and up and up. You have 50 foot homes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> That's correct. >> Anything else on that one at this time? Thank you. >> The third one has also come up for
discussion uh in the code office as well as the planning board. That's discussion of recommended amendments to ordinance 22613 in the residential 50 and residential 31.5 zones. That's listed for
introduction as ordinance 22624 at the regular meeting this evening. Is there any uh anything? >> No. >> And the fourth is discussion of engineering
proposal. That's from TNM Associates dated April 20th, 2026 to update the burough zoning map that's listed for consideration resolution 226 203 at the regular meeting. And that's to uh accommodate the changes
in South Cart. >> Yes. >> And that's that cost is not to exceed $2,700. So that's reasonable. >> Yeah. >> Correct. >> And item E is discussion of engineering
proposal from Kier's engineering design. It's stated April 8th, 2026. and that's for additional permitting required for the construction of a pole barn that's listed for consideration resolution 226204 at the regular meeting
and this is directly as a result of the uh passage of the real rules and they apply to municipalities entities of the state and any homeowner.
So as such the engineering uh associated with our relatively straightforward project as a pole barn uh has to be re configured. You correct me that this adds another $24,000
$500 to the running cost >> just for permits, right? >> We had to do >> because of that. Yeah. >> Permits and work wasn't built in a day. Was talking about market
delayed once we found this out. >> They said these rules were going to cost everybody money. Look at that. >> Yeah. >> It's big time. Yeah. >> And item F is discussing discussion of an engineering proposal from TNM
Associates dated April 23rd, 2026 to apply for fiscal year 2027, NJOT municipal aid program for roadway improvements listed for consideration as resolution 226-10. and that we have a running uh hierarchy
or really the most critically needed roads. It's that list that we apply for and hope we get the maximum for eligibility and the next in line uh >> still evaluating probably
>> yeah that that may entail now some re-evaluation with the but that's up to public works rather than the committee >> we did last year we did J Street
J for 25 26 Grand F Street >> there was smaller streets cuz the amount was smaller. >> Yeah, >> we it's unfortunate we the lesser amounts were taking the smaller streets which dire need to be done. There's no question about it. But um see what we
get for the grant. Yeah. >> Then we'll determine we'll do a re-evaluation what the next street would be or streets. Sea street is still on the list. It's a really a small one. That one really needs to be redone. But
we're looking at all options. >> We never we thought we were going to do I believe C with J Street. >> We would do CF and J all at once. >> CF and J. But we do two streets at one time. It kind of works out better. But
there wasn't that much in the grant. >> Anything else on that? Anything further from council for work session discussion for this one? If not, I'll go into the audience if there's any public comments on any of
the work session items, if anyone has them, that they could give their name and address and the record uh for those items. Hearing none, I'll close the public portion. Unless anyone from council has anything further, I would entertain a
motion to adjourn the work session, take a brief moment, and then begin our regular meeting. >> I make a motion. >> Motion by council member Grab, second by council member to roll call. >> Council member Craft, >> yes. >> Council member Tilt, >> yes. >> Council member Condos,
>> yes. >> Council member Connor, >> yes. Council member Rotunda, >> yes. >> Council Parville, >> yes. Motion Part: 2
Call our meeting to order. This is a regular meeting of the mayor and burough council the of Seaside Park County voting state of New Jersey held on Thursday May 7th 2026 advertised to begin at the conclusion of the work session meeting which has now just
ended. Pursuant to the provisions of New Jerseys Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting was properly provided by transmitting the notice of the meeting for publication. The Asbury Park Press in the Ocean Star on January 2nd, 2026. Notice of the
meeting of the governing body has been posted in the corridor of the municipal building and in the office of the municipal clerk. Roll call. >> Council member Condos >> here. >> Council member Connor >> here. >> Council member Craft >> here. >> Council member Rotunda >> here. Council member to >> here.
>> Council President Wil >> here. >> Mayor Peterson >> here. Thank you. >> Let us all now rise for a moment of silence to be followed by our pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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. The first item on the agenda is requests for approval of the minutes of the April 16th, 2026 work session and the April
16th, 2026 regular meeting. Any comments from council? If not, a motion. >> Make the motion there. >> Motion by council member Condos. >> Second by council member Connor. Roll. >> Council member Condos. >> Yes. >> Council member Connor.
>> Yes. Council member Craft, >> yes. >> Council member Rotunda, >> yes. >> Council member, >> yes. >> Council President Wil, >> yes. >> Motion approved. >> Next are special meeting minutes. Those are the April 16th, 2026 special
meeting, the April 16th, 2026 executive session, the April 23rd, 2026 special meeting, and the April 27th special meeting. Any comments from council? out a motion. >> I'll make the motion.
>> Motion by council member Craft. >> I'll second. >> Second by council member to roll call. >> Council member Craft. >> Yes. >> Council member to >> Yes. >> Council member Congos. >> I'm going to abstain. I don't recall which one of those I was not in attendance because some of those were contract meetings.
>> Council member Connor. >> Yes. >> Council member Otanda. >> Um I have to abstain to. I wasn't here on the 23rd or 27th. >> Council President Wil. >> Yes. Motion approved. Thank you Jim. >> The next are ordinances. The first is
final reading and adoption. It's ordinance 22620 amending the BOA code of the B of Seaside Park so as to amend chapter 136 entitled beaches. Any comments from council hearing? None. I'll go into the audit
audience for second reading and adoption ordinance 226. If anyone has any comments, if they could come forth, give their name into the record. Seeing none, I would close the public portion. I'd entertain a motion from council for final reading.
>> I'll make the motion. >> Motion by council member Connor. >> Second. >> Second by council member condos. Roll call. >> Council member Connor. >> Yes. >> Council member Condos. >> Yes. Council member Craft, >> yes. >> Council member Rotunda, >> yes.
>> Council member Tote, >> yes. >> Council President Will, >> yes. Motion. >> Next is final waving and adoption. It's ordinance 22621 amending the burough code of the burrow of Seaside Park so as to amend chapter 390 entitled solid
waste. Any comments from council for second reading? Hearing none, I'll go into the audience for any comments as to file reading adoption ordinance 22621. If anyone has any, they could give their name and address the record. Seeing
none, I would entertain a motion to close the public hearing and entertain a motion for adoption for final reading. >> I'll make closure. >> Motion by council member tote. >> I'll second it. >> Second by council president Wil. Roll call. >> Council member Tote. >> Yes. >> Council President Wil.
>> Yes. >> Council member Condos. Yes. >> Council member Connor. >> Yes. >> Council member Craft. >> Yes. >> Council member Rotunda. >> Yes. >> Motion approved. >> The next is first reading. It's a first reading ordinance 22622 amending chapter
200 of the burough code of the bur of seaside park entitled development res regulations to amend substantial damage regulations that as per uh substantial discussion as well that's going on before the planning board and the uh
committee and also the discussion at this evening's work session. This is a first reading. Is there anything further from council? If not, a motion. >> I'll make a motion. >> Motion by council president Ro. >> Second. >> Second by council member Craft. Roll
call for >> introduction. Sorry. >> Sorry. The gun. Council president Wolf. >> Yes. >> Council member Craft. >> Yes. >> Council member Condos. >> Yes. >> Council member Connor. >> Yes. >> Council member Rotunda. >> Yes. >> Council member to >> Yes.
>> Motion approved. >> Next is a first reading as well. First reading and introduction ordinance 22623 amending chapter 200 of the burough code and burough seaside park entitled development regulations to reduce the freeboard allowed above base flood
elevation. Again discussed at prior planning board meetings as well as the committee and this evening's work session. Any other comments or if not a motion? >> I'll make motion. >> Motion by council president Wil. >> Second by council member Connor. Roll call.
>> Council president Wil. Yes. >> Council member Connor. >> Yes. >> Council member condos. >> Yes. >> Council member Craft. >> Yes. >> Council member Rotunda. >> Yes. >> Council member Till. >> Yes. >> Motion approved. >> And
item B is first reading as well as first reading and introduction ordinance 22624 amending chapter 200 article 7 zoning provisions to include residential 50 and residential 31.5 zones. Again, as per discussion through the planning board
and also the committee and the work session this evening. Anything further from council as to comments or if not a motion? I'll >> make a motion. >> Motion by council member to second. >> Second by council president Wil. >> Council member to >> yes. >> Council president Wils.
>> Yes. >> Council member Condo. Yes. >> Council member Connor. >> Yes. >> Council member Craft. >> Yes. >> Council member Rotunda. >> Yes. >> Motion approved. Next are authorizations. The first is uh Hammer
Surf School. It's dated June 25th to September 6, 2026. Time 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Location Fifth Avenue, Ocean Beach. If approved by the council, that would be conditioned upon the applicant
providing an updated certificate of insurance. The second is an event labeled the Marco wedding. It's Saturday, June 26, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Location 21st Avenue, Ocean
Beach. Those are the two authorizations. Any other comments from council or if not a motion? >> That's our first approval in that area. >> It is. Yes, it is. The applicant had I guess received
approval from uh Berkeley Township and now has approval from Seesaw Florida. >> That's a perfect first event. >> Yes. >> My wedding is a nice comment. >> Do we have a uh a motion?
>> Make a motion. >> Motion by council member Condos. And that's this first one obviously conditioned upon the updated certificate of insurance. >> The second by council member Connor. Roll call. >> Council member Condos. >> Yes. >> Council member Connor. >> Yes.
>> Council member Craft. >> Yes. >> Council member Rotundas. >> Yes. >> Council member to >> Yes. >> Council President Oak. >> Yes. >> Motion approved. Next number nine is payment of claims 2 226197 approving payments of the itemized
claims as set forth on the check registry bill list for the time period April 17th 2026 to May 7th 2026. Any comments from councel or not a motion? >> I make the motion. >> Motion by council member Craft.
>> I'll second by council member Connor. Roll call. >> Council member Craft. Yes. >> Council member Connor. >> Yes. >> Council member Condos. >> Yes. >> Council member Rotunda. >> Yes. >> Council member Toad. >> Yes. >> Council President Wil. >> Yes. >> Motion approved.
>> And next are interrelated items related to the public hearing and adoption of the budget. First is resolution 2261 198 authorizing the municipal budget to be read by title only at the public hearing
as per statute. and common practice. >> Anything from council on that? If not, do we have a motion? >> Make the motion. >> Motion by council member Craft. >> Second. >> Second by council member Tote. Roll call. >> Council member Craft. >> Yes. >> Council member Tote.
>> Yes. >> Council member Condos. >> Yes. >> Council member Connor. >> Yes. >> Council member Rotunda. >> Yes. >> Council President B. >> Yes. And the next item is the public hearing on the 2026 municipal budget.
>> Any comments uh from council? Certainly uh the process has been made if I should say more informative than even though we were very informative in
the past by having a uh open public meeting with questions at the first time this time for a lengthy period of time and I know our CFO is here. We welcome her, thank her for all her help along with our administrator and the entire
council for all the work and research. But the process this time has entailed the uh online availability for residents to ask questions to view the entire budget for a lengthy period of time. So
it's uh been made available for uh scrutiny. I know there's some statistics on those that looked at and read the budget. Uh >> since we posted it online mayor on March 30th, there's been 126 views of the of
our budget presentation, which is obviously obviously it's reaching our objective of trying to get as many people to see the budget presentation as possible as opposed to just having one budget presentation in person for all. um
um 41% of those views came from the link on our website and another 32 and a half% came from folks who just went right to our YouTube channel and looked up the uh the budget presentation. Um we had intended to have an FAQ sheet, but
we only had one question. So that's our FAQ. >> What's the question? >> Uh who's getting vehicles? >> Very good. Thank you. >> Anything any from council any further
comments? No. >> If not, we'll go into the audience if there's any public comments. Uh as per the public hearing on the 2026 municipal budget, if anyone has them, they could give their name and address to the record.
>> Yes, Mr. Poker. My question is the uh tax cut you're going to get from annexation will kick in in 2028. >> Will it kick in in 2028? Was that the question? >> Yes.
>> Well, do you expect to kick in earlier? Um, I would say the impact of the annexation and its effect on the town I would expect to kick in earlier. >> You think so? Okay. But >> have you gotten any money back from
Berkeley Township? >> We have not. >> We have not gotten >> But we paid our taxes to Berkeley Township. >> I understand. And then I I guess some of us are regulars at the recycling yard and it's probably become one of the
public squares of the town like the post office and the bait and tackle. But I have gone there and had conversations with residents uh of the uh southern portion of Seaside Park and they were
not pleased at what's happened. paying a tax payment to Berkeley Township. >> All right. So that you think that the uh full impact of annexation will be felt in 2027.
I can say this. Uh the burough of Seaside Park has uh participated in good faith uh as per the statute with a committee meeting, three member committee of Seaside Park, met with
three members of Berkeley Township as well as other representatives who appeared uh from Berkeley Township and some even from Seaside Park as authorized. And we have discussed
the under the statute as some have labeled the statute to be poorly written and leaving a lot of gaps in interpretation. But putting that aside, under the statute, it is clear that Berkeley Township was obligated to
present to Seaside Park uh what they felt would be the financial ramifications of the annexation and uh they did not do so the first meeting and subsequent to that we've had
uh input from Berkeley Township as to their contentions. independent of that entire process, separate and distinct from that entire process, Seaside Park has authorized its attorney to draft and that letter was
sent a standalone independent letter sent to Berkeley Township in which we have uh protested and objected to the manner in which the tax payments are being paid for property tax owners in
what had in South Seaside Park and what is now Seaside Park. And we have asked them to respond in immediately forwarding to Seaside Park the municipal portion of every property taxpayers's
tax bill. That letter has been sent. It's a standalone independent letter from Seaside Park. >> I wish you a lot of luck. I suspect you're going to end up in court. I mean, with the court
commissioners in this negotiation. Of course, I don't know. Nobody knows until that. In any event, um I I'd like to thank you again for annexing Southside Park and I hope you get our money as soon as possible.
>> Yes. >> It's the right thing. It's the fair thing and it's appropriate. >> Yes. Shirley. Shirley Crestle, 700 North Bay Avenue. Um, I realized the budget was put up
that way, but and I went through it, but I could guarantee that there's a lot of people that had questions but didn't even know like when it was here, like even if you had it online, they have a meeting where it's here so that we can say, "Okay, explain this in a little more detail."
Do you all sit at some point and discuss the budget or do you just leave it up to two people and say this is our whole participate? >> We have a committee that >> we we we we >> so it's not done like at a work session that I miss. >> No, no, it's a long long process that
happens over months starting with asking the departments in October. I mean there's a lot of worksheet cleaners. >> Oh, I understand that. It's just that >> you don't throw darts against the wall. I just wanted to know if you understood the whole thing. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Because it's there's not much
discussion that goes on. That's why I'm trying to figure out when you So it's little groups you have that discuss it >> because you can't have a big group that's not public. >> There's a budget committee just like we have a rep committee. Yeah. Every >> And then you can ask them questions if you have any. >> Yes.
>> I'm on that. So yes. And then we present it through. And there was no way you could take out any little thing to get our that rate down a little bit because things are getting really tight and we've had increases like this and I realize
insurance is killing you and salaries but I I was the question about you know how many vehicles were in that because are we getting another police vehicle? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Can I ask why? Because our police
vehicles need a lot of attention. >> How come for up until Sandy, we got a police car every other year and there was never an issue. >> We always had plenty of cars. We have
more cars than we have police officers. And apparently they're patrolling great down there. I don't see why. And there was one put in the believe it was a November meeting where there was allocation for a police car. So how many did we actually
purchase last year? >> One. One. >> Then what was the one that was listed in >> replacement for one that was in a total uh vehicle accident? >> So we got insurance for that. >> Okay. I still think we could get away with every other year and we seem to
have enough. I mean we've patrolled down there before. We just try to save a little bit. That's all. >> Thank you. >> Any other public comments on the public hearing 2026 budget?
>> Yeah. Hi. Um Kathy full cover 356 Roberts. Um yeah. Is it in the order to ask about resolution 199 or 207 or is that because it's underneath I got to wait till the the end for that. This just
>> Yes. We uh >> Oh, thank you. >> We we do allow as opposed to many municipalities, we do allow comment on resolutions and that's on the resolution agenda. >> This is on the agenda. I'm sorry.
>> The emphasis of your question is absolutely on point. However, you're correct. That is certainly related to budget issues, but we'll we'll get to the resolutions momentarily. >> Oh. Uh, you want me to ask you >> at the resolution? Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> I think he wants you to wait. He wants you to wait. He wants you to wait. >> I'll sit down. >> Okay. I already said that. >> But thank you. >> Any other comment? Yes, Tom. >> Tom Joseph 704 South Bay View. So, as I
understand it, the budget we're talking about now is in effect the budget that was put together in effect pre-anexation. >> Correct. >> And at what I think I heard certainly in all the public meetings, Gene Cypriani kept saying over and over the the sixth
person meeting was to allocate between the two municipalities the debt. >> Yes. >> And that was basically the entire discussion. And obviously there are other things you're going to talk about, but basically it was they have 40ome
million dollars in bonded debt and some portion of it comes to us and the argument is how much? >> So that's the impression I've had all along. Is that roughly correct? >> That's the question. I I I I would not
concede necessarily that Seaside Park absolutely owes Berkeley Township a portion of their debt. >> I can say I can tell you it's a legal issue and that Casside Park is negotiating right now in good faith. If
I were a Berkeley Township official, I bet they'd agree with that statement that your question was not >> what position we should take, but just that the topic is whether or not that debt should be distributed and how it would be distributed if it was, but it
wasn't intended to deal with other issues like the portion of municipal tax money collected as property tax that is now being paid to Berkeley from them that should logically and as your letter
implies come to us. That would seem to me to be cut and dried and I as I understood it should not be a topic in that meeting. Is that correct or am I just >> uh I I believe it's cut and dry. I think
Seaside Park is owed immediately the portion of it's almost a pass through that should occur the minute those tax payments are paid. It impacts on a whole host of New Jersey statutes. One might argue that it's in violation of some
statutes. Only one of many examples. What if you did a closing? You and you were the attorney or the title company. You had to certify the taxes have been paid on X property and formerly in South Seaside Park, now a portion of Seaside
Park. Is that title company or attorney going to get cooperation from Berkeley Township to ask about a property located in Seaside Park? >> Okay. So, we're in a violent agreement. That's what I thought. Thank you. >> Um, absolutely. >> Any other comments on the uh 2026
municipal budget? Hearing none, I would entertain a motion to close the public. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> I know. I'm trying to get back from vacation claim 48 11th Avenue
just for general knowledge all depending how all all this goes might there have to be an amended budget >> there I I don't know that the terminology or description would include
an amended budget which makes sense logically, but there may be contemplated further actions related to revenue payment of ongoing costs. There may be budget related resolutions or actions
that the town may take. Not the not the whole budget, but is there and there's no president I guess for this but under statute would Seaside Park be able to
I'll use the word amend or fix or whatever certain parts of the budget related to whatever might be decided by either the six person committee or the court.
I mean, is that budgets can be fixed or amended, right? I I'm just thinking that what what we've got now is based on what we know, but then there's still stuff we don't know. So, it's possible that might change
in some >> I can't speculate. >> Yeah, we can't we we might be handcuffed as to what we can do from the state as to what we can do for the budget. That's why we have a emergency appropriation in
place tonight as well. >> Is that what that 300,000 plus is? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Jamie could speak to it when it comes up, but that's you can think of that as the um uh the place where all
the the bills will go and be taken care of next year when we conceivably would by then be receiving uh uh South Seaside municipal taxes. >> Thanks.
>> Yes, Joanne. Joanne Pen, Tula, Kate Court, um, Seaside Park. What was the process that the district 3 um residents of South Seaside Park were um told to pay
their taxes to Berkeley? Why is that why is that happening? >> Because they got the tax bill from Berkeley >> and the state the state So if they ignored it and said then it's
seaside park that's illegal is what you're saying. >> Yeah. >> Cuz they maybe it's inappropriate. I don't know. I mean when first annexation happened, right? There were considerations on how that process would
work which I think Jamie did very detailed analyses of what the options would be. But I think the state sort of decided those options for us. I don't know if it's appropriate >> to say what that >> how that ideally we would have what
you've said already. It would have been transferred over as though it was a property a new h I said I made it simple if it was a new house that was added to our roles. It was an empty lot and somebody built a new house you would add or if something gets demolished you omit from your tax roles. So you should in
theory be able to add all of those properties. But we were essentially prohibited by I'm not going to speak to that cuz I don't know the detail language. >> The state told us we couldn't do that through an added omitted process and that the the state tax books were closed
and they will remain closed through 2026. Um so that's coming directly from the uh >> county tax assessor the state and the state aging. >> Okay.
>> Hence we have the emergency appropriate >> and have to get the money from Berkeley. >> Right. >> Any other comments on the 2026 budget hearing? Don >> Don Whiteman 2000 Avenue South Seas pardon me sees Park.
>> Yeah. Um my concern is this with this uh taxes that's happening. Um the new tax bills go out July 1st. >> If there should at least be something in that tax bill from the county that says
my taxes, if they're going to hold those taxes, my taxes starting in 27 should reflect money and it should reflect that I'm paying to Seaside Park. Now, is that something you know if the tax board is going to do that? In other words, if
they're saying we're going to have to pay May, August, and uh December to Berkeley, the that tax bill has to reflect then the next February and May, that's third
and fourth quarter, has to be lowered to go to Seaside Park. And I think that's something that uh um I'm hoping maybe uh uh the county tax board will at least you know put that in there for us. Uh
I'd like to see a reduction and I think you'll see a reduction we'll see a reduction but with the state and to me again is this a law that the state did or is this an arbitrary decision by someone? In other words, when to me someone makes an arbitrary decision,
that's not law. All right? If someone says, "Well, uh, from Trenton, we want you to hold that." No, no, no, no, no, no. That's not the law. All right? You telling me what the law says that we have to continue to pay
for Township. And you know, I'm not a attorney, but I think that's the first approach with the um um attorney general of the state of New Jersey should be asked. Is this a law or is this just something arbitrary
statement made by you and the others that are in the uh um government up there? >> Thank you. >> Thank you, D. >> Thanks, Don. >> Any other comments on the budget? hearing none, I would entertain a motion
to close the public hearing and for adoption of the 2026 municipal budget. I'll >> make a motion by council member to second. >> Second by council member Craft. Roll call. >> Council member Tote. >> Yes. >> Council Craft. >> Yes. >> Council member Condos. >> Yes.
>> Council member Connor. >> Yes. >> Council member Rotunda. >> Yes. >> Council President Wil. >> Yes. >> Musher approved. Next is resolution 22619, an emergency resolution as per New Jersey statute 4A4-48.
>> Do we want any explanation or background? >> Turn over to our CFO. >> We have We welcome Jamie Coulson, our CFO and banker, and she's here. We'll ask uh for just a simple explanation of this. Ah, simple.
None of this is simple. >> Yeah. So, because we could not change the tax base, like our budget is our budget, but we didn't want to like affect the residents who were here prior to the southeast side park annexation.
So, we did the emergency appropriation. This is based off of last year's budget. It's a a very detailed formula that the state provides. they're allowed to go up to 3% without asking for the director of the DGS approval. And so this money,
this $351,000 and change will pay for all of the costs that are going to be associated with the South Sea sector. This is going to be the solid waste and recycling collection that's upcoming in the meeting. It's because we don't have that in our
current budget and we don't want to hit the current residents who were just in the tax base that it was. So, yeah, it's um we're hoping it gets us a little further, but we're not really sure what the costs are going to be. So it could
increase, but this allows us to defer it to 2027 when we do well, we're anticipating to see the tax base increase with the South Seas side resident homes involved. Right.
>> And as per the discussion earlier, obviously we don't know the end result. If the end if the recipients on the other end, meaning Berkeley Township were acted reasonably, the end result
would be an immediate cash flow of the pass through monies due only to the municipality. That's what our attorney has demanded. Uh the time frame for response uh does not yet run out till next week, but
we thank our CFO and correct on the uh the law involved. Anything from council further on resolution 22619. As I indicated earlier, it's our practice to allow public comment on resolutions, though it's not required by
law and we're advised by a number of municipalities don't allow comments on resolutions, but we do. Any comments on the resolution? Yes, Edie, >> 481. I may be dense, but this 370,000
plus you said is not going to have an effect on current taxpayers. Is that what you What did you just say though? >> Yeah. So, the emergency appropriation allows us to defer it to the next tax year. So, we are spending the money with
the promise to pay it back next year. >> So, where is that money coming from? >> It's just the cash flow that we currently have. So all the local revenue, the tax revenue, and you know, because we we collect money from the beaches, for the beach badges as well. So we're constantly having cash flow.
>> Yeah. >> That's just the money that we're just taking from. >> So from surplus would cover. >> Oh, okay. That was my question. Is it coming from surplus? Because if it's coming out of the regular cash flow, that's all on a balance sheet. Incoming,
outgoing, that's even. So where we just created 70,000 is coming from >> being deferred till next year when when the additional uh tax revenue from the south part of
Seaside Park comes in. >> Okay. And I know I'm being stupid. You said to pay for such things as the recycling and the garbage. So we're not going to be paying these people until next year. >> No, we're paying them. It's just the um appropriation is going to have the
offsetting revenue next year. >> We're booking it next year. >> Yeah, >> we're booking it next year. >> Something that you don't have to pay for in 9 months. >> Yeah. >> That's what I'm saying. I would think the garbage people want their money.
They're >> getting That's why we're doing the appropriations and it's both next year. Next year. >> Okay. I think I'll go home and talk to my accountant husband because I still don't get it. But thank you for coming to help. >> Any other comments on resolution 2261
199? Hearing none, I would close that public portion of that resolution and entertain a motion from council. >> I make the motion. >> Motion by council member Craft. >> I'll second. >> Second by council member Connor. Roll call. >> Council member Craft. >> Yes. >> Council member Connor.
>> Yes. >> Council member Condos. >> Yes. >> Council member Rotunda. >> Yes. Council member Toe. >> Yes. Council >> Presol. >> Yes. >> Next are the other resolutions on this evening's agenda. I'll read in summary
fashion. Number 226200 approving the designated calendar year 2026 Amusement Games License Applications. 201 authorizing membership in the Seaside Park Volunteer Fire Company. 202 appointing a seasonal pumpout boat
operator for the 2026 summer season. 203 authorizing TNM Associates to provide professional engineering services to update the brow of Seaside Park zoning map. 204 authorizing Collier's Engineering and Design to provide professional services for additional
permitting required for the construction of a fullblown. 205 appointing class one special law enforcement officers SLEO for the calendar year 2026 206 appointing class one special law enforcement officer SLEO trainees for
the calendar year 2026 207 awarding an emergency contract under NJSA4A1-6 for solid waste collection 208 appointing a maintenance repairer for the department of public works 209 authorizing the sale of surplus property
no longer needed for public use on an online auction website. 210 authorizing TNM Associates to provide professional engineering services for application to NJ DOT for the municipal aid program for the fiscal year 2027.
211 Appointing seasonal employees for the Department of Beach Control. 212 Appointing seasonal employees for the Department of Beach Patrol. 213 awarding a contract to Grand Turk Equipment Company, Inc. for NJIB Clean
Water Application Storm Water Maintenance Equipment. 214 authorizing the acceptance of a donation from preferred power wash, paint, and stain. Any comments from council as to any resolution
hearing? None. Again, uh we allow public comments if anyone has any on the any of the resolutions if they want to come forward, give their name and address for the record. >> Yes, Mr. 356 province. Yes. On >> resolution 207, which is Southeast Side
Park. That's the first concrete thing that I saw where there's amount of money mentioned 112,000 250. So, um, that is just not going to be a pass through. That has to be picked up by
Seaside Park and paid to the I know it's separate from the other resolutions from 199, but you're naming a certain company to do that for you uh to pick up those uh the solid waste. Um, so you have to
wait for Berkeley to pay for that. No, >> no. We're We're paying for it. >> You're paying for it, right? You're not You're paying for it, but for the reimbursement, we don't know when that would occur,
right? You don't know. >> Okay. And I had a question, too, cuz the council woman mentioned um >> other state agencies and then the attorney general. Okay. A lot of this coming from the attorney general. Um,
this is not strictly on the resolution, but how did it end up at the attorney general? Because Berkeley did a posting, I noticed. So, who how do we get how did we end up at the attorney general?
What's the role of the attorney general in all this >> as to the budget issues? Are we having um our taxes being sent to Berkeley past the May 1st
>> the attorney general has that office has various divisions right >> within it some assign I think you remember the last agenda we had another division of the attorney general's office gave a a letter to us about
elections this is another division of the state attorney general's office. >> Okay. So, this matter was referred to the attorney general. Uh, was it first referred by Berkeley or was it a joint thing to go to the attorney general
about how this would be handled, how the budget >> and how Seaside Park's role in the budget and payment and Berkeley's role would be >> maybe I'm not making myself clear. I'm wondering how
>> a very good question that uh I don't maybe anyone >> believe that the two tax assessors ours and Berkeley's had a conversation with the county tax assessor and at the county level she decided to involve the state. >> Okay.
>> They they were trying to figure out how does this work. >> That's correct. >> And it went from our two local tax assessors to the county to the state. >> That's correct. My only concern, well no, I probably have a lot of them and the longer I sit there, the more concerns I have, but um my concern would
be since um your finances are very well managed. Okay, Seaside Park does a fine job in its budgeting, so you're able to pay for our needs. But what if the um what if there would
be a difficulty paying and you're paying Berkeley? I mean, no, you're not paying Berkeley, but our taxes are going to Berkeley. I I would just consider that uh that could be a real problem because not
everyone is well managed. to Seaside Park is we're very thankful that you're able to pick up our solid waste and our recycling and wait for them to pay you. >> I don't know but uh Okay. I I just
wanted to kind of figure that out. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments on any of the resolutions? hearing. None, I would entertain a motion to close the public discussion as to any resolutions and entertain as a
consent agenda numbers 200 to 214. >> So moved, Mr. Mayor. >> Motion by council member Rondo. >> Second. >> Second by council member >> Condos. Hello. >> Council member Rotunda. >> Yes. >> Council member Condos.
>> Yes. Council member Connor, >> yes. >> Council member McCra, >> yes. >> Council member Toe, >> yes. >> Council President Wil, >> yes. >> Approve. >> That concludes the uh written agenda. Anyone else on council at this juncture
have anything further? >> Any I just wanted to um acknowledge I know I've mentioned it before. It's kind of one of my projects about the elementary school, but the work has begun over there. Um, so that's kind of exciting to see finally get going. Um, once that
gets completed to our satisfaction, that's when the final transfer of the property will take over. So, that's kind of cool. Um, the other thing I just want to say, which I think I said it the last time, too, and maybe others on the rec department will say, inviting the public, any that'd like to participate
in our first annual tugof-war coming up the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. I think the location might have changed if I read that correctly. So I think there'll be a new flyer >> between Lincoln and Dup. >> Yeah, because there was some conflict there with the private beach up on um
our end. >> Just wants a a >> hopefully we get enough people to come out. So the public is welcome to participate. If you don't want to pull on the the rope, you can at least donate to uh our fire department. Um, and a
portion of any of the proceeds that are donated to Seaside Park, obviously, or the heights will also go to our tribe burrow. So, there's an easy QR code, there's a link, you can just go in there, you know, donate any amount you want, $5, $500, whatever suits your fancy. >> Um, and then the other thing I just want
to say is wish everybody a happy Mother's Day this weekend. >> Oh, thank you. >> You as well and everyone. >> You said thank you. I said thank you. Just because you babysit doesn't mean you get to be a motive.
>> That was it. Thank you. >> Anything further from council? >> Mayor, if I could just dump what is that? I have these are the posters that have been around for a war and are out online and everything. And as Gina so uh
uh stated very well, uh it it's very easy to donate. need to go on. It's it's it's the QR code. Uh Ann and I did it a few days ago. It takes like 30 seconds to do it. And uh if anybody wants to take a look at it in person, I have it
up here to do. Um so I have that here also. Excuse me. Um on that too, uh as we stated before, Jersey Mike's in on uh Fisher Boulevard for Seaside Park on Monday.
uh excuse me on Tuesday May 12th and on Monday May 18th from the Fiser Boulevard Jersey Mike they are donating 50% of their sales to Seaside Park. So go there read about 10 20 subs in that hogies and
uh Seaside Park will get half 50% of revenues and I have that information up here as well. Anybody would like to see that. >> Thank you John. Anything else from council? >> Yes. Can I help? >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> I was just sure
>> I was tying up the genuses. >> Um, I'm going to repeat it. >> What's the location change? >> What's that? >> I love you. Thank you. >> Um, our armed forces day breakfast, part
of the historical society for and our first event for the 250th uh celebration of our country is is May 16th. So, it's coming up very quickly. Uh, it's not this Saturday, it's next Saturday. I I I would uh sincerely ask
all of you to try to attend to not only support our armed forces with donations um the historical society for the other events that we have planned for this summer. But uh we part of it was we have asked all the elementary schools in the
area to submit birthday cards uh to us that are going to be displayed there at the breakfast. And we have hundreds of them collected. And um this is a plea. You're doing yourself
an injustice by not going. These are all going to be displayed. I have one copy here. And I've read through a number of them that these elementary children have submitted. And I needed a box of Kleenexes after a while. Uh they are genuine. They're from the heart. And if
anybody I've won here would like to take a look at a sample of what one child did and wrote to our service people. None of their names are on here. And these cards are going to go out to our service people. And all these cards are going to
be displayed at Tribaro at the breakfast. And I got to tell you, these cards are excellent when we read through what our elementary people uh children have done and submitted to us. So um I'll >> bring the cleaners. I'll bring I'll bring boxes there. We'll have we'll have
more inside. Yes. Um so I have that here. I'm not going to pass around, but if anybody would like to look at it afterwards, you can come and take a look at it. Uh as well as I have a listing, an initial listing of all the events we have for the historical society coming
up this summer. Um these are also listed on our website as well. And I have some flyers here, a few of them if anybody would like to take one to see what is going to be included this summer for celebrating our 250th anniversary. So there
>> Thank you, Joe. Thanks, Joe. Anything else from council? >> I have to issue a formal apology because I just made fun of Joe for repeating, but I'm going to repeat now. So I apologize. >> I I love you, Joe. So I apologize. But just to piggyback on on the cards, I have about a hundred of them on our
kitchen counter from one of the elementary schools, but as well as Central Regional Middle School also did, and they they're very nice. They really are. So, it's going to be a good opportunity to check them out. So, I did just repeat that. So, >> thank you. >> Anything else from council at this point?
>> If not, we'll go into the audience if there are any public comments. If anyone has them, they could give their name and address for the record. Joanne >> Joanne Penn 208 K Seaside Park uh representative to the central regional
board of education from Seaside Park. It is my privilege to inform the council that the C the central regional board of education has appointed Joseph Toth as our new middle school principal.
Thank you, Joanne. >> I thought you were going to be asking for people. >> Congratulations. >> Yes. Huh? >> Oh, that's okay. >> All right. Bobby Rain 119 ST Drive. I just want to thank the council. Two of
the actions that you took tonight are particularly helpful to the community. the lowering of the freeboard by one foot and the elimination of the 10-year look back on on renovation costs in in determining compliance with future zoning requirements in light of the real requirements that are thrust upon us
with little analysis of the real impact on people. Those are really uh powerful things that you guys have done and I hope the word gets out that you're taking action to counteract what the state is imposing on us. Thank you. >> Thank you. Shirley
>> Shirley Crystal 700 North Bay Avenue on this whole thing about the taxes being paid in not till January. Why are we providing police garbage pickup? >> We asked them.
>> Yeah, I realized that. But then we're not getting anything back from Berkeley for providing these services. Correct. or will we? >> Hopefully will. >> Okay. >> Um,
>> and the group that did the study that made a little mistake, uh, have they been paid completely? >> Or did we withhold? Did we withhold a little bit for the >> you sponsor? Huh?
>> We signed a contract. >> Oh. To >> deliver a work product. Okay, that's too bad. Uh, and the last thing is I bought my beach badge back in December and I was really hoping that maybe they had changed when the next batch came in. All the Island Beach
badges all are celebrating the 250th and they're beautiful. And I don't know who is in charge of ordering the badge, but I mean a lot of people collect these badges, too. and it's the 250th and our badge is just a
plain badge and it's very disappointing. Thank you. >> Any other public comments? Yes, Tom. >> Tom Joseph 704 South Bay View. I guess I had to ask one more question about this paying the taxes to Berkeley for our
friends that that were in South Seaside. They're no longer in the Berkeley K through6 school district, which means at some rational point, which my mind would be when this took effect, they should no longer be paying
property taxes to that school district. Is anybody chasing that money? I heard your letter address the municipal portion of property tax, but who is chasing that money or who should be?
Yeah, >> I mean it's a very good point, but the negotiation process that's ongoing in theory, anything and everything is on the table
and Seaside Park's been very willing to entertain any and all issues so as to avoid having to have costly and timeconsuming litigation. Um I don't know that the end result uh
will avoid such litigation and the point has been made I believe Mr. Whiteman made that point on the record during the process of the annexation that why should the portion attributable to the
elementary school students be paid to Berkeley and that that should be looked at in terms of a plus to Seaside Park at the very least. But we've asked any and all there's a whole bunch of other issues I'm sure you can imagine that we've sought that at the
very least should be reimbursement to Seaside Park set off to any suggestion from Berkeley Township that we owe anything. They're all anything's out there that we've raised. So, >> so what what I'm hoping to hear is that
you and the council are chasing all aspects of what's on the tax bill and what should be legitimately coming to Seaside Park and and that would clearly include their overpaying on the the elementary school because they're not in the district anymore.
>> Y Okay, >> that was my question. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. That's >> well I think we can happily say to our neighbors at South Seaside Park that
their taxes will be lower for municipal purposes in 2027. Is that fair to say? >> That the taxes what? Invisible purposes taxes will be lower
in 2027 >> because you are going to be collecting the taxes then and there is no going through township in 2027. >> Correct. >> We can't commit to what you're going to do in 2027.
>> I mean I I'll say it this way. We're we're seeking any and all avenues of relief. a pile of money eventually and that money should lower the expenses you have to pay in your budget.
So people are asking when are my taxes going down? So, we want to I like to be able to give an answer to people that makes sense and it makes sense in 2027 the tax bill will be less for everybody
in Seaside Park than in 2026. Is that a reasonable thing to say? >> That's a nice goal. >> Yeah, that's a very >> That's what we're shooting for. >> Millions of dollars more in revenue.
Not to mention the money, extra money you're going to get from Berkeley when they uh give to you what you should have gotten already. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes, 48 11th Avenue. I want to address the
various events. I have a question. Um, somebody told me that, and I I'm not saying that this is right or wrong, that you have to have a ticket for the tugofwar or it's just a >> No ticket. No ticket. >> That was the impression I got from what you said. >> A ticket for the
>> No, no, no. That you don't have to have a ticket. It's a voluntary contribution. >> Right. >> Okay, that's good. I want to clear that up. >> Right. >> The other thing I just mentioned because people here may not know. >> The day of the breakfast, they're going to have the kids shell paint. Is that
correct? do shell painting at the breakfast because somebody's wife put out a SOS for we need shells. >> That's that's one of the events that's going to be on >> it's not at >> breakfast
one of the >> Oh, it's at booths on the bag. Okay. >> It's at Yeah, it's at Boots on the Bay. Yeah, but not at the breakfast. >> Okay. All right. Well, I just bring that up for the general anybody that has shells or collects shells, they're looking for shells. So, that's a public
service and and we we will be at breakfast selling lawn signs similar to what we had in the 125th lawn signs. Same price, $10 for the lawn sign you can put up. And it's it's you'll see it's for the 250th anniversary of the
country >> as well as the beach blankets. similar to what we saw at the time. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Yes, Joanne. >> Um Joanne Pan 28 Kasside Park. Um with all the discussion that we've been
having, it just this red light went off in my head about the students of South of District 3. Makes it easier for me to say. Um I don't even know if there are any but >> one elementary.
>> Okay. So was it as of the annexation that that those students could now go to Lavallet or Thomas River instead of Berkeley because they're >> they most likely have to go through like a tuition um you know um
>> why because we >> we have an arrangement at present with the school board the local school board where our students uh have a choice. Is that how you phrase it? They can go to Aval School or to the Thompson
Washington Street School. >> So that no tuition though. >> So there is one student down there and if there is in the future >> I believe there was I mean keep me honest. I think because I remember asking cuz having done school work for
so long. was I think we have one K through six student in district 3 I heard >> that goes to uh BTS >> no not river I think they're going >> and thank you >> okay
>> yeah and I believe nobody's told they can't stay till the rest of the year >> and then next year they're can go of either choice that the seaside park student they would have to go to either or service >> yeah and I don't know what grade that student is. I don't know that we were
told that. Typically, we don't know unless the school board would have to manage that. So, I can ask June Corsesi. >> So, our elementary students from district 3 no longer have to cross the bridge and go over to Berkeley. >> They cross the bridge if they want to go
to Tom's River. >> Yeah. And Central District for middle and high school. Any other public comments? >> Hearing none, I would entertain a motion to close the public portion and unless there's anything further from council to
adjourn. >> Motion by council member to >> second. >> Second by council member Ratunda. Roll call. >> Council member T. >> Yes. >> Council member Rotunda. >> Yes. >> Council member Condos. >> Yes. >> Council member Connor. >> Yes. >> Council member Craft. >> Yes. >> Council President Wil.
>> Yes. Thank everyone for coming out this evening.