platform open. Good evening and welcome to Venor City Commission Zoom meeting uh for November 13th, 2025. And then nice audience today for our swearing in of um Mr. Coup. Um have a Can I have a all
rise for flag salute, please? Pledge allegiance to the flag and >> to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Roll call. Lisa,
>> Commissioner Lang Grant >> here. >> Commissioner Mento >> here. >> Mayor Creable >> here. U open public meeting act. >> Pursuant to the open public meetings act, adequate notice of this meeting has been has been provided. The agenda for this meeting is posted in city hall on
the vendor city's website. >> Thank you. We have a live streaming announcement. Lisa, >> the city of Vendor offers live streaming and the option of 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. >> Thank you. Uh first resolution is 2025- 330.
This is appointing Eric Coup to fire lieutenant in the state in the state of New Jersey, city of Ventner City. We're going to have you come up to the front of the uh right. May I have a we have a motion to pass a resolution?
>> We'll make that motion. Second, >> Commissioner Langra. >> Yes. Commissioner Vento, Mayor Creable. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Going to move it down the middle >> right front and center with the cameras.
>> Move your own flat. So repeat. I >> I >> I recruit >> I recruit >> do solemn and swear >> solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey >> the >> constitution of the state >> that I will bear true faith >> I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same >> and to the governance established >> to the government established >> in the United States >> United States >> and in this city >> and in this city
>> to the authority of the people under the government of the people >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> and partially >> partially >> and justly perform >> justly perform >> the duties of the office of >> duties of the office of >> fire
>> effective November 13, 2025 >> according to the best my ability >> according to Congratulations. We're not Thank you. >> Or is she still Thank you so much.
Congratulations. There were guys in front. And then everyone else doesn't tell the truth. front. Valley. They're lost. I didn't down by over 200 yesterday.
>> Do you want one now? >> Yep. It's all >> what do you call it? Tails of >> That's what it is. >> He's training. I don't know who his connection is. So, I'm gonna do a quick presentation
with the green. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, they're here over here. Once we clear out it won't be got a couple pictures. >> Sorry. >> Babysat. >> That was off the hell. >> Yeah.
>> Things go sideways quickly. >> Yeah. >> I mean, he's so >> You're in good shape. another year or two. >> I think he's 12 11 weeks or something.
>> What it is? I didn't even know. at 12 weeks. So, >> he had a major major poop. Oh my god. >> Didn't come out the back. Stay in the diaper. And Kathy took the diaper off.
He was still going. >> They're so messy. It's funny. So, >> he slept on her chest. He didn't sleep long during the day. No, >> she put them on her chest. Slept on two and a half. It was great except she couldn't move. They call it nap trap. Nap trap. >> Nap trap. You're stuck. It's like
>> she's like, "Can you get a blanket for me? Can you get me a drink? Can you do this?" Father. All right, thank you everyone. Moving on with the agenda. Um, we have a I have a short we have a short
presentation. Um I'd like to take a minute to congratulate the group effort between the green team which is represented here and um the county and the commission as well. Um so
approximately uh I wouldn't say almost a year ago um we noticed uh we we try we endeavored to well let's just say we had these trees you could see these trees >> stretch calling them a tree
>> across the city and um uh we did a um so the project that came from this need um is um not just about the trees, but it's about bringing uh pride of place back, a little a little bit of beauty back into
the the town. Um so we we um with Tom's help and the commission's help, we started out on the on the scope of project. Uh if you can hit me to the next slide slide, Jim. So, in the theater district, uh we from
uh Nashville to Victoria, we replaced 10 new trees and 11 ground plantings with seven new planters being cut into the sidewalks. And next slide, in the Dunkin Donuts and uh the uh the area near um
we'll just call it Sunday's block. Uh this is uh this area received 12 new trees, 21 new ground cover plantings and five new planters being cut into sidewalks. So the idea here was that um trees that were existing but in res
resilient enough to be to be um to be sort of uh cleaned up. So, and then um and then also the planners were kind of uh the planners around them were uh you were formalized to all be the same and we we um so if you can show me the next
slide. So now we have roughly 20 new trees. So the the trees on the left there, that's that's an existing tree which we um we added Belgian block uh and ground plantings of local um uh
local uh grasses. So the green team and I met I probably three or four times to discuss and four maybe four or five times traded traded um species of trees and plantings and without uh I could not
have done this without their help the the unique plantings to to help to help create diversity within the city so that there wasn't any one type of tree that would be susceptible to one type of uh either an insect or an infection. So, we
have uh seven red maples. We have um seven uh I'm going to mess up some of these names. Lank leaf tick seeds. Seven willow oaks paired with American beach grass and alagany. Seven alagany service
berries are paired with purple love grass. There's one eastern red cedar that's also being planted with purple love grass and nine existing planters that are filled with a mix of purple love grass, American beach grass, and thread leaf tick seed. Um, all the
trees, it's pretty much 90% done. They were planted with uh stakes and something called a gator bag, which holds water in it. And part of the contract was to include watering throughout the next year so that these trees have a good opportunity to grow.
They're going to go into dormcancy right now. So in the spring um I think we're going to all be Can you show the next slide? And if you noticed um in the layout um we were careful to make these um as
symmetrical as possible. Um, so that you now when you go down the street, you'll see a tree on your left and a tree on your right as you go down the go down VNER Avenue in these areas. Um, and that was, uh, no small no small effort. Uh,
Lance and I did a walk through. Um, uh, Rick Santoro and I did a walkthrough, the contractor and I did a couple of walkthroughs, then we did another walkthrough, and then then Rick and I did another walkthrough with the contractor, um, to make sure and then we did markouts. So, I just want to there
was such a long list of people that really got involved in this from the green team. All the green team members include including Jim Retella who really led um and helped along the way. I'm going to mess up some of the names. Um some are here, some are not, but I want to read all their names. Michael Capu
Cape, Lee Wyman is here, Diane Burkebeck is here, and Steve Gillesi is here. >> Jeki. >> Jeki. Uh, and then we also have uh Camille Ashman, Debbie Conrad, Mary Lennahan, Peter Mockover, Raashelle
Rashelle Gim Gimaro, Loren Connor, Gary Kaplan, Elen Johnstone, and Timothy Gerard. If I forgot anybody on the green team, please uh correct me and and give our thanks. Also, in the in the commission here, we could not have done this without Lance Landraft and Maria
Mento. Um we it's it's part of the initiatives that we all want to see uh ventner bring some beauty back to those streets and then every single person I felt like in the city got involved. Sari, Apple Bomb, Amy was involved in some of the the the um the contracting
and the uh Ed Stinson was there for uh and Rick of course and the county we had Gerald Daso, Douglas Deo, Carrie Becker, Linda Gilmore, all these people on multiple emails to make sure that the permitting took place, the signage got
out there in the right ways. the county side was much more uh a little more complicated than the city side, but I think um for the amount of effort and money, this is going to be I think a big bang for the buck. >> That's great.
>> Um yeah. Yeah. So, congratulations. I think the if the green team, if you don't There was a a mention that you're going to take this another step. Uh Diane, you're so so I'm really happy to see if you I'll I'll lead you in, but uh you're considering taking having an art contest based on the trees and having um
kids create an artwork and a gallery program based on the this little program. Yeah. When you come up learning about this real time, all of us just turn that on so it goes green.
Just hit the button in the bottom. There you go. >> Dian Burkebeck, 3 North Cambridge Avenue. Um the selection of the trees also besides the appearance was also um friendly to wildlife and it provides uh
they were selected because they provide food and nesting areas for local wildlife. Whereas many of the trees that are planted in some of the landscapes don't have any benefit um to birds to insects uh you know squirrels possums
all you know everything that's running around our island. Um we also the trees that are planted the trees that are everywhere in the our community are really a benefit to the entire community. And when somebody
takes a tree out, they're taking away from everyone in the temperature control, the benefits for uh oxygen replacement, and it takes
over 70 years to have it replaced. So, these trees hopefully will continue to grow and um enhance all of our lives in a lot of different ways. um for as far as the art contest, we're going to um
launch after the holidays and do a citywide contest for drawing, painting, photography, mixed uh mixed media. Um, but it has to be a tree in Ventner. And
we're we're going to have the contest last for a year so that people can depict their subject at any time of the season, any season that they prefer or if they prefer to do a couple seasons. Um, we're going to reach out to the
children in the schools. We'll reach out to uh the community. Um we'll exhibit the uh entries so that everybody gets to see them and also along with that some educational materials so that we can
encourage people to appreciate what we have and make sure that we care for the trees that are there that we're not really uh locking bikes up to them or you know knocking branches down and having people climb and hang on them. um
so that we appreciate the value of the trees. So it's an educational project as well. >> Yeah. Great. Thank you. Can I uh just ask to get a I know you I just want to get get a little photo op for the green team, the three of us, if you don't mind taking a picture. >> Thank you. a pretty man.
>> There you go. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Yeah, thank you again. >> Thank you. >> The whole town really is the one in the battle. >> And people who visit Yep.
phase two. >> Dorset Avenue. >> Morset. Yeah. >> Fort Dorset. >> Fort Dorset. >> Dorset. Ashley. I know they approved that project last night. Looked good. >> Yeah, I saw >> saw the pictures today. >> Yeah. >> Plans today. >> Well, that would be my that would be that would be my recommendation. So, we
still do have some um some funds left there. I would say we could recreate this in the spring where Dorset Avenue. >> Never first. >> Never first. Okay. Um, moving forward, um,
item nine is approval of minutes. So, may I have a motion to approve minutes September 25th? >> We're just reviewing them. >> Oh, we're just reviewing them. I'm sorry. Um, so we're reviewing I think everybody was here for uh September
25th, the 9th. Um, but um, Lance missed you missed the 23rd, >> right? Yep. And then um we have no ordinance introductions. We have no public hearing. We have a number of resolutions
uh for consent. So I'll be kicking things over to you as we get to them if they have um in your various departments. Uh resolution 3031. Uh this is the ski beach resiliency grant. Lance, do you have a >> Yeah, we're we're looking to get some funding from our our offshore wind
friends that are still have their commitment that they had to put out grant fundings, grant funds. >> So, this is our ask for funding. >> Yes, this is a request put together the application um for improvements to Ski Beach, right? Need a new boat ramp that needs a dock next to it similar to what Brigantine has if you've been over
there. >> Um yes, and some other improvements to the site, some >> uh erosion preventive me measures along that beach there with the boats that go by. It does erode so we want to do some natural uh things there and other site improvements to ski beach.
>> Great. Yeah. Yeah. Um it is one of the few boat launch areas on Seekan Island. >> Agreed. >> Um so you'd think we'd get some some weight there. Um resolution 332. This is a permanent employment in in your
department. Maria, do you want to add any color to Sari Apple of >> Yes. appointment to the title of accountant? that she was approved, right, by civil service. >> She's our shining star. Sorry. She just keeps plugging away and
attaining one thing after another. >> Great. >> Excellent. And just to be clear, >> yeah, you got to get closer to the microphone. >> There you go. >> All right. You've been serving in a provisional capacity since March when you appointed
her. So, civil service now completed their process. This is now the permanent appointment. >> Great. Great. Congratulations and welld deserved. Um uh TW Sorry, I'm having a little trouble. Third uh >> 333 >> 333. This is a resolution uh refunding a
short-term rental fee. So, they just had a change of plans and did not um and we're refunding them the the uh fee. Uh 3034. is contract for fireworks on July 3rd with Zambilli um uh with a
postponement date if uh the weather doesn't expect not to exceed uh $30,000. So this is our July 3rd fireworks display. >> It's a big year. So it's a big year than normal, >> right? This is it. Um any questions on
that? Nope. Um then uh 3035 this is uh supplying various portable toilets to various locations for special events. So this was a star septic for $24,750.
Uh the the most >> automatic lights inside Donna. >> Oh good to know. >> If you move inside the portaotty the lights come on. >> Good. >> Just saying. Yeah. So, we Donna is here tonight because we have a lot on the
agenda having to do with special events. >> Yes. >> And she is preparing for the season, next season, >> right? >> So, it's good to see us moving along and getting things ready for >> And once this is all done, she can take off until the summer.
>> She is. Did you get her vacationless? Nice. >> No shortage of sarcasm in the room. the the um but um to your credit, we received the gold award from Best of the Press for the concerts. >> Third year in a row.
>> Third year in a row, >> right? >> Excellent. >> And it's a it's an excellent um it really is something to draw that um I don't I'm sure we all hear about it when you go to other >> We beat out Hard Rock >> and we beat out Hard Rock.
>> Did you hear that? hard raw. >> Uh to that effect, we have musically speaking is resolution uh 336. This is the uh sound system for the entire concert series not to exceed $39,400. That is for the entire concert series.
So again, this is in preparation of next season. Um 3037 is um adopting new uh formally new fees for special events. This is citywide. There were minor changes, so it's not just special events. This is things like
tents and uh things of that nature throughout. Really some not not not a lot of changes. Um >> some cleanup. >> Right. Right. So, we're really not adding any new revenues with those changes for the most part. Um 3038
is um pertains to parking enforcement in the city of Vner. So, this is uh this is a resolution uh stating free parking until April 30th, and we'll work on at a later date next year's um uh ordinance. All right. Any questions on that?
>> Make that real clear. There's no parking fees in the the metered areas until April of 2026. >> This is actually throughout the entire city, >> right? >> Yeah. Meter areas and >> just meters because the permit areas still need your permit. >> That's why I wanted to clarify that. >> Got it. So, in the North Beach area
where you have a permit, you still need to keep your permit in place, >> right? >> And we we've discussed and I I don't know whether you want to touch on it now, the ordinance to make this a permanent thing. Are you prepared to set those dates so that Nicole can prepare
an ordinance for introduction or no? >> Still under discussion. >> We're trying to finalize that now. Okay, we're we're close. >> I think there was some confusion as to what month is what revenue and >> right, >> it gets posted a month late. So >> yeah, >> I don't know if it should be through April or through March.
If you base it just on revenues, it probably should be through March, >> right? >> We can discuss it. I I I kind of I'm I'm of the mind that it would be May 1st to >> September 30th. That it kind of it guides with the city with the flow of
people in and out of the city. And the re like you said though the revenue um >> the meters would come on May 1st and shut down September 31st. >> That's that's my thought. >> Okay. >> So April would be March revenue. >> April
May revenue. >> Oh April would be May revenue. >> Yeah. >> Which is about n was $9,000 last month last year. This year. I mean my my two cents is that these really are not a revenue device per se.
We don't depend on this revenue. It's kind of minor in the big scheme of things, >> right? >> The parking meters are intended to create turnover so that people don't park there all day. So for the businesses to get turnover for the beach areas if there are metered areas for
those to also turn over so people don't show up at 8:00 in the morning and type parking space until sundown. Right. So the revenue in my mind just for my own view is is a minimal consideration. >> It is that's 100% correct. I will only add that whatever is not collected well
what is collected offsets the amount to be raised by taxation. >> It's minor. It's minor. >> Yeah. And I think there's a benefit to the businesses and you know when those when those when the throngs of leave on May when this kids are back in school you know that's when on May 1st that's
when the businesses are more likely to need >> turnover >> turnover or need need to improve need to have have improved um you know traffic um and I think we've we've fixed a lot of the things that were wrong decades ago with mechanical meters and now now I
think This to me this is a good um >> it's interesting people don't realize that this helps the business. They just complain about people aren't shopping at the businesses because of the parking >> right >> needers but it helps the businesses. They want the parking. >> Yeah. And and but I think also if we
have that sign that I mentioned that shows it right there at the sign people it'll start to train people to self you know selfcorrect. >> So I think we'll we'll have it for our next meeting. I think I think we're close. >> We'll put it on the workshop for another discussion. And in the meantime, you guys can think about what you want to
do. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> That makes sense because then we can look to introduce it in January. Instead of December, you'll introduce in January. >> Yeah. >> Because we only have one meeting this month and next, >> right? >> Good. >> Yes.
>> Um 3039. Um this is authorizing uh code red uh for a four-year agreement. Uh this is our notification assistant system um between Ventner City and Onsolve. It's four-year agreement. It's fairly
nominal in cost for the four years, but it is a valuable uh service. We discussed this today at our meeting um with a a citywide emergency plan. It's one of those things that uh we can that communication gets it out for um bridge clothing, closings, flooding, all sorts
of things. Any questions on that? >> Nope. code red. Um 340. This is um this is the GIF fund. Um asking us to uh
reinforce our civil rights policy with respect to all officials, employee employees, appointees, prospective appointees, volunteers, independent contractors, and members of the public that come into contact with municipal employees. So this is something that the GIF has asked us to reinforce in uh in
this language. Any questions on that? Nope. >> Mayor, this goes along just with the um what we had done last time with the policy manuals on every two-year um >> every two years. >> Two year reup with the GIF. >> Right. Right. This comes from our fund
uh from from Jim Paknowski uh our fund appointee there um to keep it in in compliance. Um 341 uh is a refunding of a bus trip. Uh just change of plans. So that person is not
using that uh trip. Uh 342 is uh authorizing uh this is a a statute uh balance. This is a something to cover balances. Maria, if you want to comment on this. This is a a pro transfer of appropriations that we do from time to
time. It's something we do every year. You're only allowed to do it still, right? It's November, December, January. >> Yeah. And you know, if it's fund accounts that are short and accounts that are over, we transfer from into >> balance. >> Yep. Where it's needed. >> Where it's not needed. >> Right.
>> And some of it just perspective looking ahead that there may be things. So, we look to put some additional funds from where there's a surplus, put it where it might be needed to mean that these the the the column that you see where they're being transferred to doesn't necessarily mean that's all going to get
spent. >> Right. Right. Right. So, it's a it's it's a balancing of accounts that's not it's not asking for any more funds. >> Correct. >> Correct. So, uh, three, uh, 343, this is, uh, um,
authorizing adding a depository account for, um, for our healthcare, um, for our our self-managed healthcare account. So, this is simply opening a checking account for that purpose. >> Where to deposit funds? >> Where to deposit funds? >> Is it also a checking? It's not
checking. No, >> it won't be. Okay. >> We'll use Yeah. Okay, >> we'll still use the same checking account. We'll use the same checking account that we have now. >> This this will have nothing to do with any other budgetary funds, but money
that with the self-insured program. Now, instead of sending money to the state health benefits plan, we will be putting it in this account for our third party administrator to pay our claims on our behalf from our funds. Right. So, that's what this account is. >> Do we pay from this account also or
we'll send them the money? I believe we're going to give them access to do uh direct withdrawal. Correct. AC >> from this account. >> Yes. >> All right. >> So, you were kind of right. I >> was kind of right.
>> B44 is I'm sorry. I don't mean we'll get detailed reports from them of what claims were were paid and how much that came to so that we know how much is going to come out of that account. >> Right. Yeah. This kind of goes hand inhand with the fact of one of our our
that we're adding a 355 that we are executing a self-insured um uh account which is which is a tremendous savings in the long run. Not it's an it's a less of an expense I guess you could say. It's a way of saying
>> fingers crossed that um that and so this account is necessary part of that new process that we hope that self-unding will um keep us uh keep us keep our keep our people >> funded. If I if I may again please worked on this for quite a while. the uh
just for members of the public that may not be aware of what we're doing by withdrawing from the state health benefits plan, they proposed uh not proposed, it's in place a 36% increase in the premiums for 2026, right, >> for our employee group health insurance
and prescription program. That's on top of the 35% that they had last year. >> So, we've been shopping every year to try to find an alternative to the state health benefits plan. most of the traditional if not all of the traditional insurers uh wouldn't even
quote us. So uh our broker helped to uh develop this self-insured technically partially self-insured program because we will ensure the first certain amount of claims on each individual and an aggregate stop loss point for the whole
group. over and above that there is insurance reinsurance and that's where it gets a little tricky where it's hard to find reinsurers also that'll take that take that on. So So that's what we're doing and for 2026
we're looking at a 14% increase over 2025 instead of that 36% that would have been if we stayed with the state health benefits plan. The hope is that that this is going to be a very successful program for us because we also get
better control over claims and over prescriptions and all all the things that go into providing uh benefits and that going forward in 27 and 28 we won't be looking anymore at those kind of huge shock increases. So we're hoping that
this is going to be a long-term stabilizing thing for our health insurance program. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And it was interesting the rebates. There were rebates out there for the prescription. Nobody knows where they were going when to the state I guess but for what purpose we don't know but we
will get those. >> Well they have bene you know prescription benefit managers that they they take that. So that's part of one of the behind the scenes things that we hope is going to really be a benefit to us is that we if there are rebates from
the manufacturers, they'll come to us now instead of going to some third party. >> Right. Right. So the take I mean the big takeaway here is that we are uh the action that we take today is avoiding a potentially 20% more increase than what we're so we're taking we're taking a
direction here that's that's that's for the taxpayers for the and for the city. Yeah, it, you know, 15% increase is still an increase. I don't want to, you know, >> Yeah, it's still an increase. It's >> not, but it sets us up for future years where we shouldn't be seeing those 35 36% anymore.
>> And the state health benefits plan, frankly, is I think everybody knows if they pay attention to the news, is in deep trouble. You know, they're just in a downward spiral, >> right? >> Uh and the more groups like us that get out, the worse it becomes for them. So, >> yeah. Good. >> We're we're getting out, I think, when
we need to get out. Great. >> And remember, our employees contribute to this also. They have a deduction out of their pay, >> right, >> for health benefit costs. So, this will be a savings >> for them, meaning the increase won't be as great as it would have been.
>> Right. So, we still see an increase. Yeah. >> Right. Right. I I know what you mean, but it's it's a reduction. Yeah. It's less worse. >> Yeah. >> But the the but it's active management. This is really keeping our eye on keeping our eye on the ball and making sure that these this this get
>> agent Terry Flynn did a fantastic job. He's been trying for the last three years to get us out of the state plan that no one would take us. >> Right. Right. No one no one would answer the calls if we're trying to get out of those plants. >> Every municipality is in the same boat that has the state. >> That's the other thing I was going to say. We're not alone in the but we're in
but we're we're ahead of a solution that's not that's less worse. >> Yeah, that's perfect. Less worse. >> All right. Um, moving on to 344. Um, Lance, this is uh an uh I bank uh for
sanitary sewer. >> Yeah, but this is really just designating you, the clerk, and administrator and CFO to be able to sign on these these grant funds. So, >> understood. Yep. It's all that paperwork. Y >> So, this is a grant uh grant funding for the I bank for sanitary sewer system and
roadway restoration projects. >> Yeah. >> Um resolution 345. Um, this is a good news, I guess you could say. >> Very good news. >> Uh, yeah, you don't really get this kind of number that often. This is authorizing a work change order for
Ventner Avenue single signalization to the tune of $100,000 decrease. >> 193,000 >> 193 I just saw the 100 and I was so we we're able to once you know they bid on it, but then we actually count the the quantities of things that are done. So,
right, >> we reduce that. Um, project came out great. Street corners look great. Traffic signals are working fine. There's another item in here for I think $5,000 to certify that they were built correctly where our police officers can't write tickets if someone runs a red light. >> So, we have to make sure that's done.
Sure. So, >> um we're also in the process of getting the system connected to the county's. We may do it ourselves for a little while. Countyy's bulking a little bit at connecting to the same system that's on Vetner. That is the county's project. If you if you drove Bentner Avenue over the
last year, you find that you're not stopping as much >> 100%. >> That's the This was a CMAC project, which is a a pollution control system. More cars stop, they sit, they idle, they create smog, pollution, whatever. So, this project is to keep the cars
moving. Um, it only changes when a car comes up on a side street or someone hits the pedestrian button. So, we have the same system that we put in the five intersections from Oxford to Jackson. Um, with that project, we will hopefully tie in to the county's monitoring system. We won't have to pay for that
obviously, but it's cheaper to go into the county system than do it ourselves, >> right? >> Someone has to be there. >> The hardware is there, but >> hardware is all there. >> The hardware is all there, but we need to to have them monitoring. >> It's the interconnect stuff that has to be done. >> And I'll vouch for that. The the um a lot of my friends that come, you know, and my wife going through Ventner and
Margate is >> would call me each morning. He says, "I'm driving through Ventner Avenue, >> right, >> and not hitting the light." >> It's a big difference. all the way to you hit Second Street into uh Atlantic City. >> Yeah, it's stop. >> It's It's actually better than Atlantic. >> It is. >> And that's the next project.
>> Someone just said that to me, too. They went They were driving down Veterary Avenue and they didn't have to stop once. Yep. >> Unlike Atlantic, but and you would think people would speed more, but they don't. >> Excited about, right? >> They're they're not speeding more because they're not trying to rush to the next right >> through it. They know it's a constant
path. So, >> yep. >> Hopefully, we'll be doing something along the lines of that for Atlantic Avenue. Not to that extent, >> right? >> We've put we have funds set aside for it. We got some grant funds for it. Believe it's in final design to do just change out the mechanics in each of the
light systems to change land >> to for the same type of >> same type of system. Yeah. >> Great. >> Correct. That would be a multi- like the county's project to do what they did was $15 million. Not just in Ventner, all the way down through Longport and
outdors it in Wellington. >> Right. >> What we're going to try and do on Atlantic would be just each intersection change out the inner workings of the control boxes to control the lights. >> Yeah. Yeah. The device rather than the structure which uh can last a long time. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Right. >> Great. It's great news. And it's great news that we're at a decreased change order. >> Yep. Um >> and the next one is what I was talking about the control systems to do the um not the control systems the >> design and engineering for >> this the um certification that was built as as was
>> that's uh 346. >> Yes. >> That's the 5000 347. Um this is uh authorizing a closeout refund for a escrow application for building department. Just a change of
plans not going forward. Um and then we have a group of resolutions that are all tax abatement agreements. Um that is 348, 349, 350, 351, 352. Various residences throughout that qualify for
our tax abatement including 353 and 354. All various locations throughout the city, all tax abatements. Um and then uh we have 355. Um this is as previously mentioned this
is um state this is authorizing um to execute health insurance contracts. Um this is the this is the uh the loss limit I believe contract for the health. >> Yeah. >> Um
>> right. We discussed it briefly there. Um and then we are having we're adding two on the bench. >> Yeah. >> So um we have 356. 356 is special item revenue for um a
uh chapter uh 159 for holiday drive sober or get pulled over uh 200 $2,800 um grant we received correct >> yes >> and 357 this is a professional appointment for
Ed Stinson to finish out the uh his uh end of year I believe Yes, this is just adding fin to exceed amount. It was originally awarded back in January, I guess, with a not to exceed of 50,000. As we're approaching the end of the year, we think we may
need some additional funds there for Ed to continue his work. >> Great. It's glad glad >> a lot of projects. >> A lot of projects. >> Yeah, it's great. >> Yep. I got the list of projects. >> Yeah. So that is um that is the end of the um
resolutions by um by >> consent. Thank you. Um we'll approve bills and payroll. Uh discussion items. Any discussion items? I don't have any. I think we had
some discussions during the week. Um and then um any any discussion items that either of you have moving forward? We had a lot lot early on. Uh a kind of motion to open up the uh meeting for public portion uh for anything we've discussed so far.
>> Make that motion. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Langria, >> yes. >> Commissioner Mento, yes. Mayor Creel, >> yes. anyone in the audience or on Zoom that wishes to speak about anything we discussed so far in the workshop portion
uh leaving comments for uh general um ventner comments to the end please anybody on Zoom wish to comment any of the items spoken about so far please make yourself known by raising your hand or in the chat feature
No, >> no comments. >> No. Um, >> can I have a motion to close the um public portion? So moved. Second. Um, >> Commissioner Langri, >> yes. >> Commissioner Mento,
>> yes. >> Mayor Creable, >> yes. >> Um, before we move on, I just want to make a quick mention of uh two valued employees who've had um passings in their family. Uh, fire our um Jeff
Moore, who's one of our fire inspectors, and Bill Kther's father, who's our tax uh assessor. Um both uh we we uh reach out to them with our uh our our our uh and mourn their loss of their loved
ones. >> We also had a resident who was very involved in the city, Ken Ross last week as well. Um very involved with the city, good volunteer. Yeah. >> Veteran. >> Yeah. Thank Thank you.
Thank you. Um appreciate that. Um, may I have a motion to close the workshop portion of the meeting? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. Lisa. >> Mr. Langri. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mento. >> Yes. >> Mayor Cable. >> Yes. Called to order our regular
session. May I have a motion to approve minutes? >> So >> with that, >> how about if we break them out? >> Yes. September 25th, October 9th, the regular executive will vote and then we'll vote on October 23rd, regular separate. Yeah, I was going to I was
going to abstain. So, can I have a motion to approve minutes from September 25th as described September 25th regular, October 9th regular, and October 9th executive? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Call. >> Commissioner Langra, >> yes. >> Commissioner Mento, >> yes.
>> Mayor Creable. >> Yes. Can I have a motion to approve minutes from October 23rd, 2025 regular session? >> It's got to be one of you. >> I'll make the motion. >> I'll second. >> Roll call, Lisa. Commissioner Langra >> abstain. >> Commissioner Mento, >> yes. Mayor Creel,
>> yes. >> We have no ordinance introductions. We have no public hearing and we have no ordinance adoptions. May I have a motion to adopt resolutions 2025 311 through 2025 357. Did I do that right?
>> I'll make that motion. >> Second. I roll call Lisa. >> Commissioner Langria. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Mento. >> Yes. Mayor Creel. >> Yes. Amy, can I have uh bills and payroll, please? >> Payables for this period $2,85,2367.
>> Payrolls 1,29,487.15. >> Thank you. Can I have a motion to approve bills and payroll? So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Langria. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Mento, >> yes. >> Mayor Creable, >> yes. Um, no announcements or safety reports.
Uh, any commission reports from Commissioner Mento? >> Yes. Um, finance is working on the budget, starting to work on the budget. Correct. Just came out of uh implementing a new payroll system and moving on to budget. So, what's next,
Amy, after that year end? Um, everything else remains the same on in the departments I'm under uh or that are under me, I'm sorry. Um, and then we have some great events coming up in
December. December 5th is our tree lighting at 5:30 here at city hall. I encourage everyone to come out. It's such a beautiful night, weather depending. Um, it's just a very it's very nice to to do this. And we this year have the Margate
Community Church bell choir uh which if you haven't um experienced them, it's really something. It's a hallmark moment for sure just like our parade. And then uh thank you Shellyley and team. They've arranged a pizza buffet at Sapor for a fixed price after
our tree lighting which is at 6:30. And then Saturday, December 6, is our holiday twilight parade that runs from New Haven to Nashville. And there are many activities set up during and after that also. And Shel's here if she wants
to say anything about that parade. Um, and then she also and her team arranged Sunday, December 7th to be a fun day. Sunday funday at our vetner social arcade. There will be halfp price games, kids menu, space painting, balloon
person, ice cream. So any uh for more information, we can call Shelley or Rose. I have Shel's number here, but you you can find it all on our website or Facebook page. Shel, do you want to add anything to this? >> You said it all.
>> Oh, I'm so happy I I got it all. >> Bands. >> Wow. Four marching bands, >> mummers, >> BFW, Kensington, and four groups of Mrs. coming.
>> Awesome. >> With um high school bands, fire trucks. We have everything. It's just huge. We have a pooch caboose. >> Pooch caboose. I was going to mention the pooch caboose. sign up. >> I think Boomer can
>> firetruck scare them. >> Fire truck scare them. All right. >> I'm sorry. >> And then at And then at at um is it which street at NES is um you're going to have >> We tents or not tents, I mean like vendors,
>> right? >> At vendors, food trucks, food. Yes. And movie theater is giving us >> the big theater to show complimentary movie to children accompanied by a parent and it will be the forward express. >> Oh, great.
>> Yeah. It's just a wonderful night. >> It really is. And there's something for everyone. Something something for everyone. >> Yeah. >> I want to give some credit to John Henderson who we all know is Good Time Trial at the Seafood Fest. Atlantic City was trying to do a parade the same day and they asked John to run it for him.
He said only if we move it because I'm not messing with Ventner's parade. He didn't want to compete with us. So that's a compliment to to what you've done for this parade and to him for helping us out. >> Sure. >> So I wanted to say something about that. I was I ran into him last week and he said, "Yeah, we're not we're not doing
on the same day." So they're doing it the following week, which is great. >> Yeah. >> So >> now, Lance, if he has participants that he's going to have his parade the following week and they would like to participate, >> I will I will reach out to him. I will
reach out to him. First prize is a set of steak knives. Always be selling. >> Donna, do you have anything coming up that you want to mention? >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. Just another I mean, if you've
lived in this town long enough to see what that parade has become, it's really one of the um one of the best events in the city. It really is. So, it's a turnout from uh you know, a lot of my the friends that I that live in Lynwood bring their families. It's a really it turns out to be a really really nice night. >> Yeah.
>> And turning it into a nighttime parade was a great >> Yeah. >> It was a great idea. >> The first time we >> daytime. >> Yeah. It was a daytime. >> Yeah. So, >> the >> Well, we >> Oh, here we go. >> Always weather. >> Always need the weather. >> Remember that one year? >> Mr. Langraph, do you have any comments?
>> Yeah, I've got a couple of things. um start out with with um stuff from Ernie or from public works first. Uh holiday decor as you've seen in our streets is starting to go up. I saw Kevin running around here. There's boxes of candles that'll go in our windows here on city hall. U light poles,
buildings, fishing pier. Everything's going to be done by 11:25, so we're ready for the parade and everything else. Um spinning things the other way. We're shutting off city sprinklers, turning turning off the restrooms, shutting down the restrooms. Um the courts have been closed, restrooms at
the courts. They're winterized. The library, recreation center, and a fishing pier. And we got the new um flashing stop signs at Lafayette Avenue. >> Great. >> There were some concerns there with folks not really paying attention to the stop signs. So, we got the solar ones in with the LED >> and it it
>> helps. That's a busy intersection, especially during a school year. >> Yeah. >> So, residents reached out and Rick and his team were great and the police officers were out there, I think, on mornings. >> Yep. for um for schools. So, that worked out real well. Um numerous projects we have going on. The
biggest one, Jim, can you bring up those pictures I sent you? So, the biggest one in the city right now is the boardwalk. Um >> as you can see, they're they've started ripping it up from SuffK Avenue coming back towards Cambridge. Got about a block in right now. Um they're they're
at Somerset there. What they're doing is actually cutting pieces out, lifting those sections off, um, putting them in dumpsters and taking them away. Go to the next picture. There's the pilings that we're pulling out. And if you look at the far right one there, the one right there in the
front, that's the problem we're having with the boardwalk. That area right there is rotted out. That's this the section that the boardwalk sits on. The part that's underground is fine, but the part that is out in the air is starting to rot and they're having trouble pulling them out. Um, next picture, Jim.
So, that's the area where the boardwalk was to the left. You can see the piling's still in in place. They haven't gotten to pull those out yet. >> Um, is that amazing? >> Yeah, the right. It looks really weird. >> I know. It looks really weird looking. That's why I had to show these pictures. Next one, Jim. >> This one, this one is disturbing. I
mean, that's the, you know, headquarters, lifeguard headquarters, right? And it's all gone. That's the electric lines, the sewer lines there. That's all coming out be redone. But the pilings, and I think about one more picture showing the the equipment they're using. There it is. That green kind of claw thing grabs onto the top of
the piling and lifts them out. >> But with them being rotted, they're not coming out real easy. So, they have to dig down and take them out. It's a little slower. They had some equipment problems, but we're moving forward. Um, they're moving down towards Cambridge Avenue. So, all the railings are down,
all the lights are down, all the electrics off in that section. encourage people not to go around and jump over the the uh the fences. We've had some people doing that. Guy jumped over with his bike. Like there's holes in the boardwalk now, guys. Please don't do that. Um I think that's all I had.
Right, Jim? >> Picture wise. >> Yeah, that was all of them. >> Thanks. So, that's an update on that. We we will be working these guys will be working um five days a week, probably 10hour days uh to get this done. We'll be working from now until May. We'll
shut down. At this point, we're going to we think we're going to shut down miday, open things up for the summer, and then restart back in September. So, we're we're pushing to get this work done before next fall. >> Um, some other things that are happening in the city, the Ventner Gardens Plaza
drainage project is about 90% done. Uh, pumps from there are all back up and operating. All the new drainage is in. Seems to be working very well. Um some paving projects, Blackjack repairs came in, did some projects out on Swathmore Avenue and around the city.
Just some minor minor fixes there. Um pickle ball and and tennis court reconstruction. We should have those bids ready to go out sometime this month. We are going to be adding three permanent pickle ball courts. We're going to take out one of the tennis courts, the one that wasn't used as much
on the uh SuffK Avenue side, and turn that into three pickle ball courts. So, um that should be go out going out to bid soon with completion by the spring. Uh already talked about storm water. Um one
of the thing, it's minor, but it's very helpful to our public works folks. We now have radio control. We call it SCADA on and off capabilities for our pumping stations in the Heights and storm and wastewater stations in the Heights, Canal Station, Well 8, Fulton Avenue,
North Side. We we'll be adding to Lily Park and Benter Gardens Plaza soon. >> It's a remote system that helps us do it without having to go to the site to do it. Um drinking water usage is down as it always is this time of year. Um one of the things I want to touch on and it
came out our neighbors down in Margate had some uh false positives show up for these PFAs in their their water testing. Just want to make everybody aware that in Ventner we have no issues with that. We've been testing for these PFAS, poly floral alkali substances. I can't
believe I said that right. >> Good job. >> Ventner has no detections in the last five years and we require at least once a year testing. Um we'll test again in 2026. So that's something we keep keep on top of thanks to Ernie and his team. I know that was a lot. Um that's pretty
much all I have. >> One more. What? Water tower. Yes, >> that is out to bid. That should that awarded it should be under construction in next January. Okay. >> That's repainting, correct? >> Uh refurbishing. It's not just repaint.
Yeah, it's it's a lot of work. Ernie did have that in here and I missed it. Water tank reconstruction meeting held. Construction to begin 1st of 2026. So, >> we decide the color. We're going with the I think we're going with the blue or green, Ernie.
Okay. Yeah. I You don't like it now? Okay. All right. We were going with what? >> All right. >> I Yes. Not not surely the best we should
do. Um >> I think I was just I was leaning towards just Vetner City, but we'll we can talk about that. Who invited her? >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. Do a giant QR code, right? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Forget that. Surely the best. >> That's funny.
>> I have one more thing. We we um add at the kiosk downstairs. >> Oh, that's right. Yeah. >> Thank you to uh Jim Pakinowski who worked on that and he's the voice that comes out of the screen over there >> um that you can pay for uh your your tax and water water bills and you can also
pay for any tickets you get through the courts. >> So that's on the first floor. >> Yeah. Right as you come in the entrance on Cambridge Avenue, there's a little kiosk there to your left and you can scan in your your ticket or go in and pay your taxes. >> Yeah. Like if if it's a weekend and you want to pay your taxes, you can go in
and do that. >> Yep. Nice to know. >> You can als you know you can do it during the week too if you don't want to go to the window, but yeah. >> Awesome. >> Great. So hopefully that'll be >> So thank you. I know that was a big project and it took a lot of effort and time to coordinate that also with the
county. county provided that >> kiosk from as part of our municipal court system, right? >> Communication wise, we should get some more information out to the public so they can see it. So, we'll get that. >> Yeah. Why don't we get something that >> There was a quick post I saw, but we should do a bigger one. >> We do a couple because as the season comes around
>> on our website is >> in the summer. It that kind of convenience is people what people look for, right? >> Yeah. Jim, do you think you can work on something and send it to us and then we'll send it to Sarah? >> Yeah, I'll put something together. I want to wait till Kevin gets the sign gets the signage up there. Then I'll get
a couple couple >> one more job to have to do with this. I'm sorry. >> All right. Is that is that everything? >> That's it. >> Um I just want to u another thank you. We had the the the school board of school estimates in today and and want
to mention that they had a blue ribbon >> um achievement. It's uh where the US department there's only 11 blue ribbon schools in the state of New Jersey and ours is one of them. um >> 563. >> Yeah. So the U Yeah. The US Department
of Education says this is a uh it's it's it's based on achieving overall academic excellence, making significant progress in closing achievement gaps between disadvantaged students. So that's so that's the real um the real crux of it. Um uh but uh my myself having a family
member, my daughter going through that school um and and seeing the the the effort that um that those teachers put out. Um I'm not surprised, but I but I think they deserve all the credit. Um really the the the staff there is really wonderful and we always felt well well
taken care of and and prepared for the next step for my daughter. >> Agreed. They do a great job. Carmemell and her team, the board of ed, all the teachers, they did a fantastic job. you know, this is coming out of co these kids these are these are the kids that are that suffered through that and and
the setbacks that was huge. So to get this done >> in what four years coming out of co I think that's fantastic work >> and it's nice to see how happy they are. They really are truly happy about this and proud. >> Yep. Um and then one other thing brothers and
big sisters I think we hit 102 um uh that we're giving out. We're uh from an internally our our um our employees, our staff um giving out the uh uh gifts to the Big Brother Big Sisters program u which is uh just a
nice way to give back to the community. Um and that's all I have any um uh if I can I will open up the meeting for uh public unless you have something else. >> Yes. I I I should have probably mentioned it during the workshop, but uh
just as an update, we are still moving forward with trying to resolve the uh diversion problem with green acres and the library. Uh Jim Routolla has been working with me on that. We had a meeting today with the leader at D that we're dealing with. Uh the next step for
us is that we need to get uh two appraisals done for the uh diverted piece and the the parcel that we're looking to uh use as compensation. There also needs to be a preliminary environmental assessment done. So we're
going to be soliciting proposals to do those and I would expect on the December 18th meeting that we'll be asking you to award contracts to get those things done. So, they would get done the first part of 2026. Is that what's coming up?
Right. And hopefully before the summer, we may finally have this resolved. >> Great. >> Great. Good. >> Um Tom, that just reminds me um the appraisals on the two lots that we want to sell. >> Still want to sell
>> there. We we've awarded the purchase order, they're in the works. >> Oh, good. Okay. One lot is on Ver Avenue. Where's the second one is >> down by Ver Avenue. >> They're both on. One's on Jackson, one's on Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Great. Great. Thank
you. >> Um I have a motion to open the meeting for public comment on it. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. L. >> Commissioner Langria. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Mento. >> Yes. >> Mayor Creable. >> Yes. So any um any questions or comments from anybody in the in the in the
chambers or on the Zoom platform about anything as long as it's vendor related? Anybody rushing the mic? Anyone in the Zoom platform? Jim, >> anybody on Zoom wish to make any comments? Please make yourself known.
>> No. >> No. Thank you. I have a motion to close public comment. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. Lisa. >> Commissioner Langra. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Mento. >> Yes. >> Mayor Creable. >> Yes. >> We have no executive session. May I have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. >> Second.
>> Roll call. Lisa. Commissioner Langria. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Mento. >> Yes. >> Mayor Creel. >> Yes. Meeting adjourned.