Not yet. >> Good evening. Good evening everybody. Full house. It's nice to see everybody supportive of our our new fire and police officers tonight. Um I'd like to call to order the city commission meeting March 26, 2026. Um I have everyone rise for flag salute,
please. To the stand, >> one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Nice having an audience for that, too. >> Yeah. Cindy, may I have roll call, please? >> Commissioner Angra,
>> here. >> Commission, >> here. >> Mayor Creable >> here. Uh open to uh open public meeting announcement for pursuant to open public meetings act. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided. The agenda for this meeting is posted in city hall
and on the city's website. Um we have a live streaming announcement. Also the city of vendor offers live streaming and the option for public comment via remote access as a convenience to the public. In the event remote access is unavailable for any reason beyond the city's control, the city will not pause or stop the live meeting. the city
reserves the right to discontinue remote access at the discretion of the city for any future meetings. So this evening we have uh two resolutions and then we will get into the oath of office that everyone's here for. Again, thank you for all coming. Um uh may I have a
motion for resolution 2026-093 uh county of Atlantic State of New Jersey appointing Jeffrey Moore as fire captain? >> I'll make that motion. >> I have a second. Second. >> I believe second that was a second.
>> Have a roll call. Cindy >> Schlangraph. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Commissioner Mento. >> Yes. >> Mayor Creable. >> Yes. Uh may I have a motion for resolution 2026-094. This is a state of New Jersey appointing Peter Edgar as fire lieutenant. May I
have a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Roll call. Cindy. >> Commissioner Langrath. >> Yes. Commissioner Mento. >> Yes. Mayor >> Karibbo. Yes. Excellent. So, uh, first we'll have the oath of office of the in the police department. Uh, they has to be up first. So, may I, uh, call
Anthony, would you please help me pronounce your last name? >> Bonjouro. >> Bonjouro. Can I have your last name? No. >> Sorry. I think there >> you have someone to help the Bible for
swearing in. >> Uh they came back. You sure? You'll do it alone. Okay. So, so it's your choice if you want to say that after >> the mic, please. >> So, repeat after me. I Anthony
I, Jordano, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. I must >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> that I will bear true faith and
allegiance >> to the same >> the same >> and to the government established in the United States >> until the government established in the United States >> and in this state >> of this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially
>> partially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties of the office of >> all the duties of the office of >> police officer >> police officer >> effective April April 30th, 2026. >> April 30th, 2026. >> According to the best, my skill and ability.
>> According to the best of my skill and >> congratulations. Move the mic over. Yeah. Um, why don't you let the We'll let the chief pick that up. Sort that. All right. >> I'm going to need another some some more
help. Fabian Deisio Contra. Yeah. >> Thank you. That's >> you're you're welcome to have family come up if you like to hold the the Bible if you if you choose or do you choose to do it? >> I'll have my mom. >> Yeah, >> sure.
>> Good choice. >> So, help me with your pronunciation. >> Why don't you come around here? Raise your right hand. Repeat after me. I Fabian Deio Contra I Fabian Valdz Cont >> do solemnly swear
>> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same
>> to the same >> and to governments established in the United States >> to governments established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this under the authority of the people. >> under the authority of the people. >> That I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform
>> and justly perform >> all the duties of the office of >> all the duties of the office of police officer >> police officer >> effective April 13, 2026 >> effective April 13, 2026. according to the best of my skill and ability.
according to the best of my skill and my ability. So help me God. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you very much. Jeff. >> All right.
>> Uh, future fire captain Jeffrey Moore. >> You almost got a standing O. I got uh my mother. >> Okay. So, it's up to you to say something. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Come on. You guys stand over here.
>> Good afternoon. I, Jeffrey Mortz, >> I, Jeffrey Mortz, >> do solemnly swear >> solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> And I will bear true faith
>> I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same. to the >> and to the governments >> and to the governments >> established in the United States >> established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> I will faithfully
>> impartially >> partially >> and justly perform >> justly perform >> all the duties >> all the duties >> of the office of >> office of >> firecat >> firecat >> effective >> 0329 2026 >> effective 0329 2026
according to the best of my skill and ability. So help me God. >> To the best of my skill and ability. So help me God. >> Congratulations. I'm not surprised. >> I didn't say You can replay that on YouTube later.
Uh, Peter Edgar >> hold you hold the B. >> You can hold it for me. So your choice to say so from God if you want to come here with you guys I don't see right Repeat after me. I, Peter Edgar, >> I, Peter Edgar, >> do solemnly swear
>> do solemnly swear >> that I'll support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> and I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same
>> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> and faithfully >> and partially partially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties >> all the duties >> of the office of
>> the office of >> fire attempt >> fire >> effective March 29th 2026 >> effective March 29th6 >> according to the best my skills and ability to help me go >> according to the best my skills and ability to help me >> congratulations Congratulations.
>> Congratulations. >> You guys used to Thank you. >> We're good. >> I said we're good. >> We're good. >> We're good. That's awesome. >> Cyber personel.
Never done this. >> You got to clean this up right now. line up in front, guys. Nobody's gonna get over there. Other side. Got plenty of room on G. >> Where are we going? The other side. >> Yeah, we got to get the We got to get
the wide. >> That's how you got this. >> How that feel? Someone gonna tell us to smile. I don't even know which guy even You guys have a good one. Thanks be to God.
>> That's mess up. passing by everybody. >> Oh my goodness. What? Yeah. Not surprised, right? >> What is it? Why does it say Mayor Lenny Small?
It says clear. It also says firehousees. Mayor Martin Small. Yeah, >> that's that's the application for the grants. >> It also says firehouse, too. >> Should we pull it?
>> You just change it on the bed. Exchange. It also I talked to I talked to him. It also shouldn't say >> this is working. But also >> this has to be says restoration
firehouse 2 drawn at city hall. >> So we'll put one here >> and not that. >> Those batteries are dead. >> Which one? >> You're talking about >> Yeah.
You guys need >> for lunch? >> All right. Oh, good, good, good, good. The real >> Okay. I can We're going to resume the meeting in a few minutes.
>> We're going to resume the meeting. >> It's on I guess so. Yeah. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Only if he sets these off in his bar so
he can clean them up, too. >> We're going to got through the metal detector with the Oh. Okay. Um, moving down the agenda, the next item, uh, we have no presentations in the workshop. We have no department
head reports, uh, and we have no capital discussions. The following item is, uh, we will vote on minutes from January 8th regular, February 12th regular, and February 26th regular, and February 26 executive.
>> Yes. Um all members were present. So there is no need no uh no one will abstain from any of those votes. We have um no ordinance introductions and no public hearing or adoption of
ordinances. However, we do have uh resolutions 2026-095 through 2026-106. Adding a few at the bench. We have four to add. First resolution uh by consent is um uh regarding no parking during all
the race dates uh on the boardwalk following events uh including the JCC race and the marathon series for 2026. Any comments on that? >> Nope. >> Uh next resolution 096 is um amending
the temporary budget. um something we uh typically need to do uh before the budget uh gets adopted. Um any comments on that? >> Nope. >> 2026-097. This is um uh rehabilitation of
wellhouse number five not to exceed roughly $500,000. Do you have any comments on that, Commissioner Lang? >> Yeah, this has been a long time coming. Uh we had uh Palestine Associates uh do a a design on this well number five. It's right out there at the um public works building. Correct. I think wells
five is there. Yeah. Um needs to be redone. You know, it's one of our our our wells that provides portable water to the city. So, it's time for that to be redone and we'll start that work u soon. TKT construction was the low bid.
>> KT construction was the low bid. Thank you. Um resolution 098. Um this is an increase for the uh North Story Avenue water tower improvement project. Do you want to add anything to that, Commissioner? >> Yeah, while they were in the original inspection, they did find some
structural issues on the bowl, I'll say, um where the water is actually held that structural the structural members, they found more. There are some pictures attached to the the agenda items um that showed the structural members rusting severely. So, we're going to repair and
replace those as needed. And that's an additional almost $500,000 494955. So >> I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. 199400. I would read the wrong item there. 98 is1 199400. Thank you.
>> Right. But I mean there's some there's some efficiency doing it now that we're already in in there. >> Yeah. You would have to shut the whole thing down again and drain it, right? Go through the process again. So we're not doing that. >> Yeah. Um z uh 2026-099. Uh this resolution is also in your
departments. This at both of your departments actually. This is um this is provisionally appointing um Amy Winterbottom to senior account clerk from building department. Correct. >> Correct. >> Yes. Um Amy, we're happy to be able to hire Amy. We've had a vacancy in the
finance department and we always post uh within and um we we posted for this externally and we we did get a lot of interest and um interest from within was Amy and um she has a great work history and from uh everything I've heard and
seen she has a good work ethic and she has experience. So the position was offered to Amy Winterbottom who uh has worked in um the code and building office for us. >> Yes, she will be missed there. Understand the need and and like to see
people move up within the city. So it's a it's a good opportunity for her and we did add one that that will fill her space in um in code office tonight as well. >> Great. Okay. All right. Thank you. Uh 2026-10
0. Um this is cancelling of tax. This is uh for a veteran in our city. Um 2026-101. Uh this is another engineering change order. This is uh do you want to expand on that, Commissioner? >> Sure. This is for additional inspection
work tied to the uh traffic signal intersection improvements on Betner Avenue from Oxford to Jackson. >> Great. additional work there was needed and the inspections coincided with that. Uh we did negotiate that down some from almost double that. Uh we got it down to
just over $8,000. So >> um Kers did a good job for us and the inspections and got p get paid for their services. >> Great. This is Ventner Avenue uh 20 2026-0102.
Um this is the uh license for an encroachment uh rightaway which was discussed last meeting. This is for the um for the Shabbad. >> Yes. >> On um >> to allow fence three foot high fence to encroach into the rightway. >> Correct. That
>> behind the sidewalk. >> Right. And then we have um four new ordinances um >> resolutions >> resolutions, I'm sorry. uh 103 um uh 2026-103. This is a grant application for Ventner
City Hall. Um 104 and 105 are both um HV HVAC um for CMS CM3 uh for CM3. This is uh station one and the public works garage, correct? Any comments there? >> Correct.
>> No, just ongoing mainten contract for them. >> Yep. And then uh as you mentioned earlier the uh the last uh by consent 106 is uh new hire of uh replacing Amy in code office. >> Correct. Katherine Zackmeister as our
clerk one move into that spot. We're coming up on our busy time. Great >> to have that seat vacant coming into the summer months when we're really busy. >> Right. >> So >> got to get up to speed in two months. >> Yep. And that is the last of the uh
resolutions by consent that we have. Um we have uh we'll have approval of bills and payroll when we get to that point in the regular meeting and we have no discussion items. However, we do have a presentation this evening. Uh former mayor Chryser is here in the house. If
you'd like to um come up to the microphone you Thanks for coming. It was nice talking to you earlier today. If you'd like to make comments about um whatever you have to say. >> Good evening, keyboard warrior Tim
Crusher, Venture City. I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight and exceed the normal 3 minutes yet allow the public to speak. I believe it is the right of residents short-term, long-term, taxpayer, renter to address their local officials without
restrictions. A right that should be determined and controlled at the whim of and discretion of duty dulyeleed public servants. In my 16 years of holding public office, I was always of the opinion that the three-minute limitation was not in the best interest of
transparency, civic engagement, and good government. I listened to the public without limitations, no matter how difficult it was to hear or absurd we felt the resident was in their participation in the public comment portion of the meeting and never limit someone's time to address our governing
body. I have a proposal for this, but I'll bring it up at another time. First, I want to apologize to this residents of Vetner for miss speaking when I previously attended the meeting. Out of sheer frustration when I was cut off from speaking after given only three
minutes to rebut a 20-minut attack on me, I erroneously blurted out, "I pay your salary." I should have not used a singular term of I, but the collective term we as I was speaking for all those who have shared a similar opinion as mine. I will begin shortly before where
I was cut off at the previous meeting. So those listening in now will have some context. So now we had an antiquated money losing ice rink, an inadequate library, a dilapidated cultural arts center, and no historical museum to preserve and
display our rich history. And we discovered our adjacent community building needed a new roof, new windows, and highac repairs. Our response was thoughtful and strategic. We applied for and received more than $450,000 in state funding to expand the library. The
expansion incorporated a proper children's section, modern computer access, dedicated art space with a dance studio and a kiln for pottery, a permanent historical museum, expanded program is serving significantly more
residents than the rink did. and we met a c crucial DA D pri priority of providing public restrooms. Now let's address the timeline because I think this is critical. Why did suddenly this became an issue only after my administration left office years after
the rink was replaced? Let me provide my thoughts. I do not recall every detail from that time. I do do know this. Libraries were and are considering improved diversionary use. The state awarded us funds to expand the library into the rink space. No longtime
employees of the city at that time res raised any green acreage concerns. A state representative was invited to and attended the library dedication. If memory serves me, no restriction surface restriction surfaced during the title search. No Green Acres objection
was raised for years afterwards. Our administration later secured over 700,000 and it may have been more than that in green acres funding for the fishing pier and this was after the ice rink was demolished. Maybe all this led to us to believe we
are proceeding appropriately. At worst, if there was any issue, it did not violate the spirit of green acres program. It retained the property under public control, greatly enhanced the public use and saved the taxpayer money. If the formal diversionary use process
had been pursued, I'm confident the state would have looked favorably upon replacing an antiquated money losing rink with modern library, art center, and museum and public bathrooms, especially given that libraries were recognized as acceptable diversionary
use. So why was it never raised during our tenure? Beha, perhaps because the state recognized they were dealing with an administration that would not simply roll over to their tyrannical tactics. We de demonstrated this repeatedly when we fought the D to m maintain dune
height at 2 feet above the boardwalk so residents could preserve ocean views when we told mechanical control of the dune height was prohibited until we produced photographic evidence that laying city was doing exactly that leaving the state red-faced and silent when dangerous dune cliffs formed weeks
before Memorial Day cutting off beach access and we were told we could not address it we made it clear public safety came First, we were told we would be arrested. I responded, "We'll start the bus if that was a route they choose." I also said we would win the
public relations battle if they wanted to go this way. In the end, the dunes were relocated towards the bulkhead, likely an unprecedented accommodation under D regulations, and the city even received credit towards its share of beach repenagement cost. We also cor
corrected a Rossy listing error when an engineer mistakenly included the entire veterary west track. We negotiated back to the intended parcel again. During all these negotiations, Green Acres never once raised the ice rink issue. Perhaps it was never raised because at worst it
was a violation that did not violate the spirit or intent of Green Acres and perhaps they understood that a formal diversion had been requested, it would have been approved in 2008. However, they were no longer dealing with an administration prepared to challenge them. Instead, they counted an ad
encountered an administration that would not stand up to the state and would roll over and that may have found it more convenient to assign blame to prior leadership. Now, 18 years later, this matter is still being held over Vetner's head. You call it a catastrophic error.
Yet, no one has meaningfully consulted the three individuals responsible for the decision to understand the context. Your failure to do this may be considered a catastrophic error. A true solution remains available. Now, I want to thank the mayor and commissioners for meeting with me this afternoon. And I
understand that you're close to resolving this issue. Uh so what I suggest would have suggested years ago and have to you uh may not be appropriate now since you are close to it. But what the city should have done was present a full record before an
administrative law judge, demonstrate the permitted diversionary use of libraries, discuss the fiscal realities of the rink. The property has remained in public ownership for public use and not for privatization or commercial use. There is no loss of public lands
sensitive sensitive or otherwise. Show the expanded public benefit that serves the needs of all ages and expanded group of residents. The diversionary use improved the public good met a top priority of the D in by including public restrooms in the project. Highlight
subsequent green acres funding approvals that we received. Asked under oath whether the diversion would have been granted. I'm confident the state would have to respond yes. The diversionary use was in the spirit of green acres program to enhance public access and use by the community created additional use
for all ages and preserve the property for expanded public use. if it was a minor violation, not a misuse of public lands and attempt to green acres requirements and actually expanded the public use and then let a judge
determine if an approach uh an appropriate remedy if any. So has it been easier to continue characterizing this as a catastrophic mistake? Why have you not pursued this alternative? or would you rather the veteran residents suffer? Leadership is
not about assigning blame nearly two decades later. It is about resolving issues and I will close with this. If replacing the rank truly barred us from Greenacres funding, how do we secure substantial funding afterward to the tune of minimum $700,000
and looking at some newspaper articles at the historical museum and maybe been significantly higher. Was that luck, negotiation skills, or a realization by the state they had no issue? I welcome a fact-based discussion. Ventner deserves nothing less. My original post addressed
the redevelopment plate. However, you continue your meanspirit tyrate against me by bringing up the totally unrelated Green Acres and the former ice skating rink. If we're going to broaden the conversation, let's do honestly and completely. During your tirade, I was considered criticized for what was
described as an act now. seek permission later mentality, something this administration claims it would never do. That standard deserves to be applied consistently. When the state of New Jersey issued a performance audit of the lifeguard pension program, the findings were serious and troubling. The failed
audit concluded that the city failed to maintain and operate the lifeguard pension commission, failed to fund required employee pension contributions in compliance with the law, only partially comply with statutes and local ordinances requirements regarding employee contributions and retirement
benefit calculations. did not obtain required actuarial reports or disclosed pension liabilities of approximately $3.5 million in accordance with governmental accounting standards and failed to accurately track lifeguard service years. These are not minor
procedural oversightes. They involve compliance with state law, local ordinance, and established government accounting standards. I do not see where you I did see where you took corrective action after you were caught. If this administration does not believe in shortcuts or retroactive approvals, then
residents deserve an explanation. Why were these legal and final applications not met? And why were these deficiency deficiencies not identified and corrected through the city's annual audit process? Public account bill accountability must apply across the board. If we're going to debate
standards of governance, let's do based on facts, consistency, and transparency. Now, let's deal with the other issue you raised at the commission re meeting. The mean spirit attacks on me from my social media post and accused me of giving out misinformation. And again, I appreciate
you the three of you meeting with me this afternoon and confirming uh what the documents that I was referring to were going to refer to. Um you accused me of giving out misinformation regarding the Veter Avenue School Building. This is a serious charge and
deserves a serious response. Commissioner, your verbal attack on me and in the down beach article, you tell the public that I was, and I quote, spreading inaccuracies. You further state the plan could not be changed without a new application or revision to the redevelopment plan, which require
numerous public hearings. The developer cannot unilaterally pivot to a presidential use based on market conditions without returning to this room and facing public scrutiny. You said, "You do not know where I get the ID. They could unilaterally change the use of the building."
So I I I want to make sure that I understand that if they wanted to change the use, they would have to come back to the city. Is that correct? It's >> your presentation. We're listening. >> Okay. Well, I'm asking a question. You're not going to answer >> that question earlier today in our meeting. >> I just wanted on the Never mind.
So now the public's not allowed to ask questions. All right. Thank you. Welcome on. The answer is it's a site plan approval, Mr. Mayor. >> Site plan approval runs with the land. They have certain requirements under that site plan approval that they have to meet. They cannot change that without
coming back to the planning board. >> Okay. >> Simple land use planning that you sat in front of for 18 years. >> Just want to confirm it. It's all I don't know why it was that difficult to answer that question to provide me that answer. It seemed to me >> been provided that answer multiple
times. >> Maybe the people listening did not hear it. Shouldn't Shouldn't we cl Are we interested in getting information out or are we interested in controlling the narrative? >> The information has been out there. >> So nowhere in my post did I say the
developer could unilarly change the use of the Veterary Avenue school building or demolish the building without returning to the city. My June 18th post, I do express concerns about the demolition of the building. However, in my post June 25th, I state its potential
conversion to residential use. I do not mention demolition but conversion to residential use. I further state maintain the building's original purpose keep in mind the original purpose of the building was owned professional not commercial and did not permit
restaurants. I also state language in the redevelopment plan could limit the city's control over future landmark the future landmark if developers pursue a conversion mean meaning residential. I'll explain shortly why I say this. In my January thirst post, I state, could
the developer return and seek approval to demolish a Vetner Avenue school and add more commercial or residential units? The key here is I say I could the developer return exactly what commissioner says, Langra says
would have to happen. I state exactly that would happen. They would have to return. In my February 7th post, I st I state leaving the language in the plan the potential for the reuse and repurposing of this part of the property referring the Vent Avenue school is
built into the plan to meet change in marketing conditions. Keep the door open for future developer to claim the building isn't financially viable and push the city to renegotiate possibly leading to dem demolition. Again, nowhere does it say they had the
unilateral right. I say push and renegotiate with the city. Nowhere did I say un did I say that. I say exactly what would have to happen. They would have to return to the city. Again, I want to clarify when we speak and you did this this afternoon that we
when we talk about the redevelopment plan, we're talking about the Ponzio plan uh that I operate and receive from the city. this plan there was there was changes made to the Ponzio plan regarding density facade building materials and
landscaping were made and memorialized in the planning board's resolution dated 1210 2025 from what I've been told there has not been any changes other changes made to the plan when I spoke at the November 18th at around 47 minutes and 42 seconds
of the tape I re raised the issue about residential use in the Ventner Avenue avenue school building was told and was told that the language removed from the final plan and apparently that language was not removed from the Ponzio plan.
So if we want to talk about misinformation, my fear along with many others is that the planning board resolution number 13 2025 states in section two that planning hereby determines that the redevelopment plan, the Ponio plan attached to exhibit
A is consistent with the city's master plan. In section three, it reads exhibits A may amended to those recommendations that I previously talked about with the dense reducing density facade building materials etc. There is no mention of amending the plan to
delete such language as on page 11 allows for the continue continued use of this building referring to the Ventner Avenue school building repurposing into other permitted uses or other future usage of this property to meet change in market conditions. The overall focus is to allow flexibility in the
redevelopment plan for long-term successful project. It also reads on page 13 and 14, the former Ventner Avenue school building will undergo an analysis determine the feasibility for its redevelopment and improvement in addition to commercial use. This building may potentially be suited for
new residential units. The potential for the future reuse and repurposing of this part of the building is built into the plan to meet changing market conditions. On page 15 and 16, it reads referencing the vet referencing the Veteran Avenue school building. The plan reads, "The longerterm use of this portion of the
property is a function of market conditions and the redevelopment plan will allow ample rate flexibility for such adjustments to help create a successful project. The city of Vetner referring to the redevelopment plan on May 22nd, 2025 in ordinance 2025-5.
The ordinance in section three. It is hereby determined that the redevelopment plan to be adopted pursuant to this ordinance is consistent with the master plan of the city and that the zoning map of the city should be amended accordingly. Although it has beenly said that the developer could unilaterally
pivot to residential use, I do as I previously said in my post they would have to come back to the city to do so. My concern along with others in the plan on is the planning board and the city says the redevelopment plan Ponzio plan is consistent with the city's master
plan. So I agree that developer or a future developer could uh would have to come back to the city to repurpose the building to residential. However, I believe the developer could successfully argue that doing doing so is consistent with the master plan is a
short hop, skip, and jump for the developers. says the building is no longer financially viable just as they did with the Troy Avenue building. We want to demolish the building. They may argue that the redevelopment plan on page 19 reads the the plan under proposed
allowable uses for the site. Residential uses allowable for all areas on the site. Garden apartment/condominium type flats. Zero lot line connected side by side single family attached town homes buildings. single family detached roads.
These uses are consistent with the master plan the developer may argue. Again, when I spoke at the November 18th meeting at the 4742 mark, I was told this language was taken out. Many feel all this language I referred to allows a developer to return with a
project much different from what it looks like today and argue you will agree that a future project is consistent with the master plan. I along with others are skeptical why all this language was included in the redevelopment plan when we were told it was deleted. The problem is and why
people are fearful is language that potentially benefits the developer was left in when as was explicitly explicitly said it was taken out. That certainly raises suspicion. It was said at the planning board that restaurants could go into the building without having to return to the board because
that use was permitted by the plan. So the concern is why the restaurants need do not have to go to the board because it is permitted in the residential in the plan. Three and what people are fearful of when they
return to the city as I said in multiple social media post they would have to return for residential use. You will say yes you have been very accommodating for the developer yes you did get some conditions where were those things put in the developer plan known there would have to be some give and take. For
example, we want 33 units. Let's ask for 39. Cut it to 34. make a further cut to 33. We get what we want, but we look like we're making great concessions. I did negotiations with some of the toughest unions in the area for 31 years. So, I learned a few things about
negotiations. But you gave them 33 units in a space that should only be 21, adding to the density problem. You created redevelopment plan to allow them to include the Veteran Avenue school site as well as a new street to determine how many units they could build on the site
they proposed for housing. You permitted restaurants in the front when you put in a pro prohibition of a restaurant in a zoning variance less than a block away. Was that to protect the interest of the developer? It was originally said that the new street created to provide access to the town homes would be a private
street but somewhere along the process you assumed ownership of the street. The city taking ownership of the street has no benefit to the city. There is no off streetet parking for the public as this entire street or curb cuts. The city now has to maintain it. The city
now has to plow it. Plowing has been a sticky subs as of lately. Now, most significantly, that land is now taken off the tax rules. If it remained owned by them, they would have to pay taxes. This is a savings to the homeowners, but a loss to the rest of the taxpayers of
the city. The city should have kept it as a private street, as years ago the city did with the street created to access the town homes between Portland and Sacramento Avenue. a very similar project to the project we are now currently discussing when the old missionary complex was replaced with
town homes. There is very little confidence that this administration and its planning board will say no to this developer or any developer who as I repeatedly said returns to the city with a new project saying it is consistent with the city's master plans.
I do not why you know why you decide to viciously attack me when I've been very fair it was you and my social post. Some examples in my November 23rd post when keyboard warriors were saying you don't care. I defended you and said you do care. You just had a different vision
for Vener that many of us have. I even referred to us as dinosaurs. You have a different vision. Doesn't make you wrong or uncaring but only that vision was different by many others. I encourage people to speak up and participate in the process to express our opinion. Is that wrong to encourage people to
participate in their future? In my December post, I congratulated the city for a great holiday parade. In my January 3rd po 30th post, I stated, I believe our city officials and planning board members are honest and sincere people. I also say in the same post, I acknowledge the planning board, which
you, mayor, and commissioner Langri are members of, for doing your due diligence. Board members ask thoughtful questions, push for concessions, and succeed in getting the developer to make changes that improve the plan. In that post, I can encourage everyone to stay informed. Don't you want people to be
informed or do you want to control the narrative and information given out as encouraging public is public encouraging public participation now considered dangerous? In my post on May 26, I thanked the three of you by name for putting on a great Memorial Day service.
Commissioner Langraph, I mentioned in that post that you gave an emotional message from your son serving in the Middle East. I publicly thanked you when I raised an issue of potential inequities with your am ambulance billing procedures and you quickly corrected the issue. So I've been very
fair and in many instance congratulator congratulatory toward the three of you rather than you take the high road with regards to the library and say we built a beautiful building that expanded library for greater use ensured the cultural art program was not only continued but expanded and created a
historical museum to preserve our history. But it came at a cost that they may not have been aware of of as the state is alleging something improper was done and is affecting our ability to get Greenacre funding. You do not even have to take the high road in regard to my social media post regarding the
redevelopment plan. All you had to do is not put words in my mouth and you did exactly what you're accusing me of giving out misinformation. Now you had to go nuclear with your meanspirited tirade against me. And if it was your goal to send a chilling message to all veteran residents, as
long as you want to agree with us and compliment us, we will treat you warmly. But the minute you disagree, challenge us, or offer a different opinion, we will come after you, just as you did with this keyboard warrior. You will be attacked and tempted to disgrace all your previous efforts to make Ventner a
better place. And it doesn't matter if you gave correct information, just expressing your opinion, or informing the public. You will be dealt with as this keyboard warrior was. And if this was your goal, you very well may have achieved that goal. Residents have a right to
scrutinize redevelopment language. They have the right to be concerned about density, and they have a right to express concerns about parking. The chilling message to other residents if they can attack an individual who started volunteer at the age of 13, has countless number of volunteer hours to
his record and served in public office for 16 years and whose time being in the office most mornings, most evenings and many weekends is legendary and to this day continues to follow his time and talents for veter and and try to bismerch his record. What will they do
to meet? The resident will likely choose to remain silenced. This is not good for transparency, civic engagement, or good government. Sounds a little like what's going on in Washington. I will continue to speak respectfully and truthfully to keep residents informed not only about
the redevelopment projects, but other matters I think they should be aware of. So again, thank you for your time. Thanks for meeting with me today and graciously bestowing on me the opportunity to speak for longer than my three minutes. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you for your comments and
presentation. Moving on to um public portion. I have a motion to open the workshop portion of the meeting to anything uh that was discussed during the workshop portion. Um I have that
motion please. So moved. >> Second. >> Can I have roll call? Cindy. >> Commissioner Langrath. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Mento. Yes. >> Mayor Creable. >> Okay. At this point, anyone have any comments regarding anything that was discussed at the workshop portion the um the resolutions?
Anything um seeing none in the chambers? Any on uh any comments from the Zoom platform regarding um the workshop portion so far? Anybody on Zoom wish to question or comment on
any of the items spoken about so far, please make yourself known by raising your hand or within the chat feature and you will be recognized. >> No. No. You have a motion to close the public portion of the workshop meeting. >> So moved. Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. Cindy.
>> Commissioner Langrath. >> Yes. >> Commission. >> Yes. Mayor >> Creable. >> All right. I'd like to um take a moment to close the workshop portion of the meeting and call to order the regular portion of the meeting. I have a motion to approve the minutes uh as described January 8th, February 12th, and February
26th of regular and February 26 executive. >> I'll make that motion. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Roll call. Cindy. >> Commissioner Langrath. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Mento. >> Yes. >> Mayor Creable. >> Thank you. Yes. Um we have no ordinance introductions. We have no um public
hearing. We have no ordinance adoptions. Um I have a motion to adopt resolutions 2026-095 through 2026-106. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Roll call. Cindy. >> Commissioner Langra.
>> Yes. Commissioner Mento. >> Yes. Mayor Creable. >> Yes. Uh we have no capital discussion. I'm sorry. one page. Um, can I have uh bills and payroll, Cindy?
>> Sure. Bills are 3,11,34 with 66 cents and payroll from March 1st to March 14th is 637,411.70. >> Thank you. I have a motion to approve bills and payroll, please. >> I'll make that motion as well. >> Second. >> Roll call. Cindy.
>> Commissioner Langra. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Mento. >> Yes. Mayor Creable. We have no announcements or safety reports. We have any uh commissioner comments or reports? >> Commissioner Mento, you want to start? >> Uh no report. >> No report.
>> Uh Commissioner Lang, do you have any report? >> Just an up couple updates. Uh the boardwalk is moving along fantastic. Uh if you got a chance to see two weeks ago or a week or so ago, Thursday, I guess it was last Thursday, had an interview with uh Ryan. You met Ryan. I think you
talked to him right after the storms. Um the reporter from channel 3 came down. We did a little little shoot shooting on the boardwalk there. Um it really looks great. The the railings are they look like they're chrome. They're not, but they look like they're chrome.
>> They'll fade. They'll look like the old ones. >> Um but it's looking great. They're getting back on track. Um they started the ramps down to the street ends. They've done a couple ramps out to the dune on a couple of the streets already. um waiting on an electric to get that
done to get that started and we'll be ready for hopefully miday opening it to the public. If not those races are going to become steeplechase races and people are going to have to jump over sections of the boardwalk but the decking is all done if you I I offered you guys to get up there. It's a little tricky but you
can do it. Um not to the public can't get up there right now. You have to wear a hard hat the whole thing and that fun stuff. So, um, update on the water tower. I know there's been a lot of complaints about the noise over there. We are trying to get that project done
so we get that water tower back online so we have the the uh water pressure back in the heights and the water service, you know, available to us, the the volume of water that we need for the summer. So, it's something we're going to have to bear with for a little while. uh with them working on the tower uh
seven days a week. Uh something we got to get done before the season starts because we have to test it before we put it back online uh with a lot of D rules on on re reactivating that tower. Um
it's funny we talked about the library. We're expecting a price to completely renovate that building. Um, I think we got a price from the architect so far to do the the estimate uh on re refinishing the exterior of that building because
it's reached its end of useful life of the exterior of the building. So, we'll be we'll be seeing that in the next few weeks on what that's going to cost us to to fix that building up. So, library has been a hot topic. That's uh pretty much all I have.
>> All right. um looking um uh when is our first uh question. When is our first event? The It's usually the the block party, right? >> Oh, the block party. Yeah. >> Right. >> I don't have it here. >> First Saturday in May.
>> First Saturday in May. So, that's coming up. Um I I >> actually I think it's not. It's the second Saturday this year. >> Yeah. The Saturday before Mother's Day. >> Yep. Coming up, we have the on March um 28th, Newport Avenue in the beach is the
FMBA local 38 uh Easter egg hunt, which um can be >> That's this Saturday. >> That's this Saturday. >> That's when I knew my daughter would be successful. She came out of the scrum with a basket full of eggs and it's a
very competitive Easter egg hunt >> someday. So, um, uh, and then, uh, >> sorry, the block party is May 9th. >> Black party is May 9th. Um, >> oh, >> and textile adding textiles, which is a
>> we have a huge bag for that. >> Yeah. Oh, great. >> I got I got a bunch of my car I can drop off. Yeah. Um the only other thing I wanted to say is just a a comment on uh
Jim Ratella. We had a grant summary come across our desks um that was uh over the several years that uh he's going to point that I I guess he was compiling to point to. Um he needed uh four pages of
um single space from 2016. >> Yeah. >> When he started with us 2016, >> $90 million roughly in grant funds achieved through everything from uh municipal aid and transportation grants
to street sweepers, uh curbs and ramps, um and just about anything. He throws a wide net. Um and um and he's and everything he does is well written and well reasoned. So um I think that's >> n put that in perspective. 90 $90
million >> in 10 years. >> Do some chief chief cahill gets other ones. >> Yeah. >> Communities. Rick gets a few grants. I mean that's the bulk of it. But >> Right. Right. And I think it makes our dollars stretch further. It's like like anything else when you when you give aid
to um uh one aspect of living it it improves the other things that are falling short. So >> it's just about 10 million a year. >> 10 Yeah. >> since 2016. Right. >> And that's that's either something that would have never gotten done or something that would have gotten done and you would have had to borrow.
>> Right. Right. >> Y because you had to you had to do it. >> Right. Right. And and these are things that are all all specifically benefited Ventner and in so many uh little ways, vehicle charging stations, um things that uh things that we, you know, take
advant take for granted, but um uh but it it's it's continued a good work and Yeah. Yeah. >> Boardwalk. Yeah. He wrote that grant for the boardwalk. >> That's right. Um >> if I may, he's actually going to attend the meeting on April 25th to do a report on this.
>> To do a report on this. Great. I didn't want to steal any more of his thunder. I just uh thought it was worth noting and please join us for that meeting so you can s sort of see firsthand the way it's devel he develops things. We I guess that's the reason why we see we see that
he's um you know casting that net out every week. It seems like he's got something that he tries to um approach which different departments with. So um much kudos to him >> and we'll probably include it in a newsletter for people who don't come to the meeting, right? Yeah. >> Yeah.
going to be a big big newsletter, >> right? >> Ages just on grants. >> It'll be a good companion to the introduction of the budget, the same meeting. >> Great. All right. Um that is that all we have for commission reports? >> Yep. >> Um can I open I have a motion to open
the meeting for public comment? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. Cindy. >> Commissioner Langra. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Mento. >> Yes. >> Mayor Creable. >> Yes. So, at this point, uh, we open the meeting to anyone that has, um, anything to say in regard to Ventner for any
topic, um, uh, or, uh, or another. >> See Rick F has his hand up. >> Good evening. Um, I talked to the >> Who is it? >> Can you state your name and address? name Rick Freriedman, 6405 Mammoth
Avenue. >> Okay. >> Um I was at on Zoom a few months ago uh talking about uh beach tents. Um wanted to know if there was anything
resolved with those 20 by 40 foot beach tents that people set up on the beach. Um, I proposed that they move them to the back part of the beach near the boardwalk, the first 20 feet. Um,
instead of taking up the whole front of the beach at the water. >> Mhm. Um, another thing I talked about was, um, since the fishing pier, we still get
charged for it even though we are taxpayers for Ventner and, uh, we can't use it unless we pay. Uh, I would like to propose um I would I would like to find out if there could be fishing on
the beach between the life stands at on each side of the pier uh for people to fish on the beach um on the weekends um at at pretty much any time. Um since
part of the beach at the other end near the Ventner Margate side uh there's the beach is closed for surfboarding. I feel that we could open up an area of beach for fishing.
Um also I brought up about uh riding bikes on the boardwalks. Um, and I think I said last time it was around 11:00 at night. Uh, I was riding my bike on the boardwalk. There was absolutely nobody on the boardwalk
except for police telling me I couldn't ride my bike on the boardwalk. And I'd like to know if there was any resolution to after a certain uh time >> was that last year >> of night that we could still ride our
bikes on the boardwalk instead of on the street uh like the mayor uh suggested. I didn't want to do that because of how people drive on uh the street. Uh, one thing comment I'd like to make, uh, is
the snow removal for the past two snows that we had, uh, this year, I thought could have been done a lot better. Uh, the streets were horrible. And also, my wife and I walked from our house to
Ventner A to get haircuts. We almost broke our neck because there were so many houses that did not shovel the sidewalks. And I hope they were fined because state law says after 24 hours of the last snowfall snowflake that hits
the ground, your sidewalk supposed to be shoveled. And those sidewalks were not shoveled. And it was absolutely horrific. Um, I think I hope these people were fined and I hope something
was done about it. Also, I'd like to find out how come are we not allowed to do you does this uh ventner not allowed to put salt down because of the ocean? Um because
I think that uh salt would have helped a lot on the uh all the streets around us because again this the plowing was not done at um I feel the plowing could have
been done a lot better um from what it was. >> Okay. So we have five comments so far. Is that is that is that all you have? I got I got tents. I got tents, fishing, bike, snow, and salt. I'll start with your your first comment about tents. The
uh the larger tents. I could see us having something that would um uh I believe we do have some ordinance about tents. I could see something and I don't recall seeing things in the 20 foot by 30 foot range. >> Oh, there they are. I took pictures of them. They're huge.
>> A size that size >> and there's a lot of them, too. >> Excuse me. Excuse me, sir. Well, I I'll try to get all your answers. Um >> uh something of that size would require a permit. Um other the 8 by8 tents are
something that's pretty common and unless we have a drastic, uh beach erosion, um I don't think there's a need for that. I think there's a lot of things that common courtesy um has been lost in um in in some ways. Um but uh
something of that nature, something of that size, we would just ask you to um you can call uh it would be beyond what uh what is allowable without a permit. Um a lot of times we see those uh someone reports them, sends us a photograph and and we can we can we can
take we can take a look at that and investigate whether it's legal or not. Um biking on the boardwalk was changed. The ordinance was taken um pushed back, I believe. Um we can look into that. that was really in place because it is something that affects uh something
allows us to enforce when we do need it. Uh allows us to enforce loitering um issues that we sometimes have on the on the boardwalk. >> Um it's also a boardwalk. It's not necessarily um there are bike hours for
those reasons and we've we've loosened that. Um and then and as much as you'd like to use it in the evening, there are also residents that want to use it uh use it as a bike path in the evening. There are residents that want to walk unmolested in the evening. So there's a balance there. Um we do have more than
uh seven or eight uh class ones coming on board and we are also looking at having uh our officers um accompany them on shifts on the busiest times. So, we're hoping uh to to affect some of the uh bike um especially the ebikes uh
enforcement um on the boardwalk. So, we may see some of that. Um uh surf casting is something that is uh we're you know we are a a bathing beach. Um I don't know that I think there's a difference between um surfing and surf casting. I
don't think anyone has ever been uh arrested for surf casting after hours when the beaches are empty. Um but um it's something we could look into uh designating certain beaches, but the fish don't know where those beaches are. So it's kind of a it's I don't know how
to how you would agree upon a particular beach. Um >> yeah, I know I saw Ocean City allows fishing like all the time even people's which I couldn't believe >> people were sw you know but I you know it would be nice
>> I don't think that would be a popular ordinance I'm going to just uh keep moving here u pass on to Commissioner Langret but keep in mind that this was not a a a typical snow event. This was these were this the first event that happened happened during freezing
temperatures and we don't really haven't had that kind of snowfall since I was in high school. I'm 58 years old and um you you know I was uh my family was trapped on Sacramento Avenue for a week when I
was in high school because the snow was that and that's what this felt like. Um yeah, >> it was that kind of event. Uh Salt does not operate. I think Commissioner Langraph will take it from here at those temperatures. >> So we saw the main roads here on on the island, Atlantic, Ventner, Monmouth,
Winchester, Dorset Avenue, and uh Wellington coming into the island. Uh we salt those streets as needed throughout the storms. We don't have the capacity to salt side streets in the in the city. Um one thing I learned during this storm, and we learned a lot from these
storms, the first storm was very difficult. Um, we had 6 to 7 ines of snow followed by a good 6 hours of rain. Uh, followed by subfreezing temperatures for 3 weeks. Um, >> right. >> The one thing that I learned, salt
doesn't work under 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Doesn't work. Road salt doesn't work. >> So, it would have been fruitless to to put that down on the street. We have the capacity to store about 75 tons in public works. Um, that's two applications on our streets, maybe three
if we're if we're sparing with it. So, we don't have the capacity as a small town on a barrier island to salt the roads other bigger municipalities have. Um, so that that's one problem we had. The second was the storm itself, and I
talked a little bit about that. We learned from that storm that if we do have the opportunity to get that slush off the road during the the rain, we need to do that. And uh Rick and I, we trust me, we rode a lot of these roads uh during during and after the storms.
And you know, we learn from every every time uh that we have an event like that. The second storm I thought we did much better. Um it was a lot more snow, 15 16 inches of snow of snow blowing. So that was problematic. Um the main roads were were pretty decent uh the next couple
days after that. Um, we did again have some pretty freezing temperatures after that one, but it did warm up sooner than than the the the first storm. Um, again, we learned from that. We just don't have one. We have 20 guys doing our plowing and and removal of snow for 35 miles or
so of roadways in in the city. Uh, their other responsibilities are still there for them. We also at the same time had over a hundred frozen pipes in the city, whether they were residential service lines, water meters popping, we had to replace 60 different water meters that
popped. So these guys are doing double duty across the board through those storms. Um, so >> get overtime in every department. >> We had over 750 hours of overtime just I think that was just for the last storm. Um, so we did what we could with what we
had. We can always do better. I don't disagree with that. Like I said, we learned a lot from the ice storm. Um that was very difficult uh to deal with. Um you talk about the sidewalks. We did not issue violations. U we would have been still issuing. We sir, you've had
your time. This is our time to respond. So I'm going to finish my my my comments here. Um there is an ordinance on our books that you have to shovel your sidewalks. If we would have enforced that, our guys would have still been writing those tickets uh weeks and weeks
after this the storm. Um it's just not possible. We did put on notice the businesses uh that they're responsible to to clear their sidewalks and we do remind folks um on our social media, on our website that they are responsible to
do that. We have a significant number of second homeowners and we are going to put this year in reminders in our tax bills that they're responsible for that. But in this particular case, there was more than half the the parcels in the city that did not shovel their sidewalks. We would have just been
writing tickets to write tickets. >> Nearly impossible because it was ice besides. >> Exactly. So again, we learn from each of these two storms um moving moving forward and we try to do better each time. I I commend the guys for what they
did. I was out on the streets with them. I've rode the rode the streets with with Superintendent Santoro and some of the guys in the plows. It's it's not it's tedious work. They're tired. Uh they're working 24/7. They don't go home. We sometimes we keep them before the storm,
you know, because they may not be able to get here. Not everyone lives here on the island. Even if they did, we had an emergency at one point. We had to send out um fire personnel to get Ernie, our water superintendent, to an emergency in the middle of the storm um to fix that problem. And he did. He did a great job
with it. So, I'm proud of the work they did. Can we do better? Always. So, I thank you for your comments. >> Any other comments from the any other public comments in the Zoom platform or in the commission? Chambers.
>> Anybody else on the Zoom wish to make any comments? >> No. >> Okay. Hearing none. May I have a motion to close public comment? >> So moved. >> Roll call. Cindy. >> Commissioner Langrath. >> Yes. >> Mento. >> Yes. Mayor >> Creable.
>> Yes. This evening we do have executive session. Jim, I would ask you to put uh the Zoom platform into a waiting room. And if I would ask everyone here to um step out, we'll re we'll reopen the
meeting when um when we're done executive session. Do you want me to read the comment? >> You guys have to >> Yeah, we have to close doors. >> We're going to executive session for litigation matters, so you have to step out. >> Did you guys have anything to say before
we finished the meeting? Okay. All right. Thanks for coming out, Annette. >> Mayor, if I may interrupt. >> See you, Luca. >> Yes. >> We need to announce the purpose of the executive session. So, it's it's litigation and contract negotiations and
we will not be taking action afterwards. >> Okay. Uh New Jersey Open Public Meeting Acts permits the discussion of certain matters within the executive session. as an exception to certain provisions of said law. The near the veter city board of commissioners wishes to discuss certain matters which qualify as
exceptions in executive session. No action binding upon the board of commissioners will be taken within executive session and discussions conducted in closed sessions will be disclosed to the public when legally permitted and when public interest will no longer be served by keeping such matters confidential. The matters to be
discussed are potential litigation and contract. Do you want to you want me to say or do you say uh >> what would Yes. Oh, formal action will be taken. >> Okay. Um
can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. Cindy. >> Commissioner Lang. >> Yes. Commissioner Mento. >> Yes. Mayor >> Creable. >> Yes. Batteries are