Morning everyone. president for Cresmorial who will serve as today's honorary mayor uh at the for this meeting. Her name is Reena Bonaser. Did I did I get that right? All right. Reina Bonus. She's going to lead us in this pledge of allegiance. Go ahead.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, and indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You ready? Roll call. Mrs. Fusso
>> here. Mr. Franco >> here. >> Mr. Cabrera, >> I'm here. In compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, chapter 231PL 1975, the notice requirements have been satisfied as to the time placed and date of holding said meeting by post posting
notice on the bulletin board in Burough Hall by mailing and emailing same to the Herald of Kate May County and press of Atlantic City on September 24th, 2025. >> All right, might have a replacement. Well done. >> Might have a replacement, mayor. >> There you go. >> Well done. >> Yeah. All right. So, in the event of an
emergency, emergency exit is the door standing there by Mr. Mick Colin in the back and and Captain DO and the door right to our right behind CFO Springer. Um, couple quick announcements before we move forward. I just want to remind everyone that this meeting is being shown live here today on the Burough's
Facebook and the YouTube channel. Uh, we have here uh with us on the DIAS is the conference line. If anybody watching remotely would like to ask a question or make a public comment, you're more than welcome to do so. I'm going to read the dial in access uh number and code. The
number is 888 3634734 and when prompted, you're going to enter the access code 969920 followed by the pound or the hashtag. In the event you watch the recorded version of this meeting and you still have public comments or a question, you may
email our clerk at clerk wildpress.org. work. Students, who's our clerk? Point to her. There you go. And you can phone her at 609729804. When we get to uh uh when we if you're
watching this meeting live and uh you see the comment section on the bottom, just know that those comments are not being monitored. The only way to make a public comment is by using the dial in uh number. Um, that said, I want to as we get to the public comment section on this portion of the meeting or the
presentation for New Jersey Avenue, we do have a statement that we read into every meeting. So, it sets the parameters as to uh how public comments can be made. I'll ask Rita to go ahead and read that. The Open Public Meeting Act requires that a portion of every meeting of a municipal government body
be set aside for a public comment on any issue that a member of the public feels may be of concern to the residents of the municipality. To ensure an orderly and efficient meeting and to provide everyone an opportunity to be heard, here are the guidelines. Addressing the body. When recognized, please come to
the microphone and clearly state your name for the record. All comments and questions should be addressed to the governing body as a whole and not to individual members or staff. The time limit. Each speaker will be limited to 5 minutes. Speakers may only speak once during this portion. Time cannot be
yielded to another speaker. Decorum. Speakers and members of the public are expected to maintain proper decorum and shall ci civily make their comments. Personal tax, obscinity, derogatory or slanderous remarks and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Please do not mention employees or
professionals by name. Responses. The governing body is not required to respond to questions during the public comment period, but may choose to do so at the end of a session or refer inquiries to appropriate staff for follow for follow-ups at a later date. Subject matter. Comments should relate
to any governmental issue affecting the municipality. Remote participation. For those participating remotely, you will be acknowledged by me and must state your name before making comments. The chair reserves the right to interrupt or terminate a speaker's privilege if the quorum is violated or if comments become
disruptive or exceed the time limit. Thank you in advance for your cooperation ensuring a respectful and pro and productive dialogue. We now we now open the floor for public comments. >> All right. Okay. At this point we move on to our our regularly scheduled agenda. But before we do that, um I want I would
like to uh um give the proclamation uh to the uh junior officials that are here with us today and then we're going to proceed with the rest of our meeting. Um and I'll read it here and then I'm going to present it to your mayor for the day and and she can go back down into the audience and and then we're going to get
on with the rest of the meeting. All right. So this is on behalf of uh uh Commissioner Franco and Commissioner Fosilo and myself. Whereas the future of our community, our state of New Jersey, and our nation depends on the leadership, character, and civic engagement of our young people. And
whereas Junior Officials Day in the Burrow of Wild Crest provides Crest Memorial 8th grade students with a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the responsibilities and duties of municipal government, fostering a deeper understanding of public service and civic responsibility.
And whereas Junior Official Day encourages students to develop leadership skills, integrity, teamwork, and a commitment to serving their community. And whereas by participating in Junior Officials Day, students gain valuable insight into the operations of
local government and the importance of active participation in the democratic process. And whereas the elected officials, administrators, educators, and families who support this initiative demonstrate a shared commitment to empowering youth and strengthening our
community. Now therefore, I, Don Cabrera, your mayor of the Burough of Wilder Crest in the County of Cape May, state of New Jersey, do you hereby proclaim Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 as Junior Officials Day in the Burough of Wrest. But I encourage all residents to
recognize and celebrate the contributions and potential of our young leaders as they step into the roles of municipal officials and learn the value of public service. In witness thereof, I have here to set my hand and cause the seal of the burrow of wildest to be
affixed this third day of June. Signed by myself and our clerk, uh, Madame Teetics. All right. So that said, I will present this to you. Congratulations to you all. And I would will comment that before we started the meeting, we overviewed um what the elected body
does. We um the folks that were here, some of our professionals that are here, let them know what they do for work on a daily basis and then they're going to go and they're going to tour the rest of the municipality and meet the other department heads that make magic happen in the burough of Wild Crest. I had
asked the question beforehand as to what is it that you see and you like and you love about Wild Crest. I heard the beach. I heard the bike path. I heard the parks. I heard because it was safe. I heard all of that. And those are all the things that I think, you know, when you wake up every day, you don't know
that all that hard work that goes in here to live here and take care of all the things that we call home. Um, so I wish you all nothing but the best today. Wish you well. Learn a lot. And I I'll leave you with this uh before I turn it over to Commissioner Franco and Commissioner Foselero is if you have an
opportunity as you go forward and you embark upon your high school and then you go to college, if you choose to go to college, consider a career in municipal, county, state, or even federal government. It's I'm telling you as a private sector guy um and I see both sides of municipal this is a great
it's a great opportunity and we you all you students are the leaders of our community and our country going forward good job congratulations and thank you for your service today. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> Okay. Um, we're going to move on with
the rest of the meeting. Madame Clerk, we have one ordinance. >> Yes, sir. The first is ordinance 1491, and it reads as follows. An ordinance of the Burrow of Wildwood Crest amending and supplementing the land development ordinance of the Burrow of Wildwood Crest to measure the height of a
building from design flood elevation. Motion that ordinance number 1491 be passed on first reading advertised according according to law to be brought up for second and final reading and public hearing on June 17th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. >> I second the motion. >> It has been moved and seconded that
ordinance number 1491 be passed on first reading advertised according to law be brought up for second and final reading and public hearing on June 17th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. >> Roll call. Mrs. Fussellaro, >> yes. >> Mr. Franco, >> yes. >> Mr. Cabera, >> yes. Next we have the resolutions. The
first is authorizing expenditure for janitorial services under New Jersey State Contract Purchasing Program contract number T-1480/77110. >> I make the motion. >> A second. >> It has been moved and seconded that the foregoing resolution be adopted. Roll call. Mrs. Felaro.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Franco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cabrera. >> Yes. Next is authorizing salaries for certain non-aligned employees in the Department of Public Works Retro January 1, 2026. >> I make the motion. >> I will second. >> It has been moved and seconded that the
foregoing resolution be adopted. Roll call. Mrs. Felaro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Franco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cabrera. >> Yes. >> The next two are by consent agenda. The first is authorizing amendment to the 2026 municipal budget to account for additional funding from the Cape May County open space for Heather Road
fishing pier. And the second is for additional funding for the 2026 clean communities grant. >> I make the motion. >> I will second. >> It has been moved and seconded that the foregoing resolutions be adopted. Roll call. Mrs. Fussellaro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Franco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cabera.
>> Yes. Next is accepting work performed and authorizing release of performance bond and accepting maintenance bond for the reconstruction of Toledo Avenue fiscal year 2024 NJ do DOT municipal aid. >> I make the motion. >> I will second. >> It has been moved and seconded that the
foregoing resolution be adopted. Roll call. Mrs. Felo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Franco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cabrera. >> Yes. >> Next is authorizing waving special events application additional fees to the Crusader Booster Club, Inc. >> I make the motion. Second. >> It has been moved and seconded that the
foregoing resolution be adopted. Roll call. Mrs. Fussellaro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Franco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cabera. >> Yes. >> Next is authorizing advertisement of a notice to biders to furnish and the delivery of Wildwood Crest Fishing Pier lumber fasteners and bolts. >> I make the motion.
>> I will second. >> It has been moved and seconded that the foregoing resolution be adopted. Roll call. Mrs. Filaro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Franco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cabrera. >> Yes. Next is authorizing award of contract for fiscal year 2026, New Jersey Water Bank number S340719-06
Park Boulevard Sanitary Sewer Improvements Phase 1. >> I make the motion. >> I have a second. >> It has been moved and seconded that the foregoing resolution be adopted. Roll call. Mrs. Felo, >> yes. >> Mr. Franco, >> yes. >> Mr. Cabera, >> yes. >> Next is establishing a Wildwood Crest
Youth Advisory Council. >> I make the motion. I have a second. >> It has been moved and seconded that the foregoing resolution be adopted. Roll call. Mrs. Fussellaro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Franco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cabera. >> Yes. >> Lastly is authorizing award of professional services contract to Eric
B. Rosena CCP of act engineering for coastal engineering support services for the burrow of wild crest at the not to exceed sum of 17,000. >> I make the motion. >> I will second. >> It has been moved and seconded that the foregoing resolution be adopted. Roll call. Mrs. Balaro.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Franco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cabrera. >> Yes. And I before we move on to the agenda, so I just for the students for purposes of knowing what we just did there. So we just did two things. We did an ordinance introduction and we did a res and we did resolutions. So uh and correct me if I'm wrong, madam clerk and
solicister gazun. Just just wanted to clarify what that means. An ordinance basically is is when we introduce an ordinance, that's the first step, the first reading of becoming a local law, right? So that's that that gives us the teeth to enforce the law and change
things uh and the code in the burrow. So that's what we did. So we we did that through the so this particular ordinance measuring height and building from design flood that has to be done by changing our local law. So that's what we did. We introduced that and then it'll go through a second reading and
then it'll have a a public hearing on at that time and it'll be 20 days after that. >> So now the law has changed because advertising is no longer done on a in a paper. It's done on our uh website and it's new jerseyleals.com but our website links through that. So it has to be 20
days after that is um up and able to be read. >> Got it. All right. And then we did we did uh 10 resolutions. So a resolution is basically ratifying an agreement and an approval by the governing body. So sometimes we vote two to one, sometimes it may be no vote, sometimes it may be
tabled, sometimes in today in T's case uh we all voted and approved these resolutions. So the clerk has the opportunity now to record that we made that formal decision and every one of these resolutions is given a number. It's basically a number then the year that it was made. So if there was any So
that's how the public tracks the decisions made by this governing body. So I just wanted to clarify so you understood the difference between an ordinance and a resolution. That said, I'm sorry, Mr. Franco. Go ahead. Next part. >> And one more thing, Mr. Mayor, could you move your microphone a little closer? Is that good?
>> Okay. >> And then for the record, I need to amend the title for resolution number 10. It said not to exceed sum of 17,500. It was a typo. Said 17,000. Okay, we're ready for bills. >> Motion that all bills properly authorized as submitted be paid.
>> I second the motion. >> It has been moved and seconded that all bills properly authorized as submitted be paid. Roll call. Mrs. Felaro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Franco. Yes. >> And Mr. Cabra. >> Yes. Okay. That brings us to correspondence. There's none listed. Uh we'll have our first round of public
comments. Um Rita gave the parameters on the on the public comments. So anybody here in this audience can certainly come up to the lectern and ask a public question. We just need your name. Again, as a reminder, do not need your address. And that can be on anything that we have already covered in the burrow or or
anything else. Anybody have any public comments? Round number one. Morning. >> Morning. Morning. Uh >> Steve Pagleó, 6000 New Jersey Avenue, the corner of Aster, New Jersey. I have one question
with this streetscape is am I going to start? >> Excuse me one second. So we're doing the presentation after this meeting. So, we're gonna have a separate round or just a specific round of public comments for that at that time. Is that good? Go back. >> Okay. No problem.
>> Okay. Uh, any other any other public? Yes, sir. >> Yes. Edgar Ruth, I'm a 29-year homeowner over on a sweep. On May the 2nd, you had the community burrow yard sale. I want to thank you personally for extending it
in the Sunday with the threat of rain. Is it possible that we could do that every year and make it a weekend yard sale and you may save a few bucks by not dragging out public works to clean up with the truck and just let them pick it up Monday? >> Yeah. So, I think um we learned that it
probably is a good idea to extend it uh so that you can do it Saturday and Sunday. Public works then will just on a Monday morning routine they will make the they will go around and do all the ball pickups on Monday morning instead of bringing somebody in specially just for Saturday. Then it rains or it gets canled. We'll just do it Saturday and Sunday and then Monday is will be the
ball pickup. >> That's perfect. And a lot of people spend a lot of time setting up so you're going to go through five hours of set up. Might as well leave it up all weekend. But thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you very public comment.
Okay. Uh we're going to move on to uh the discussion items. Uh nothing uh there's only one thing under discussion item and this is regarding street paving. So I had asked our clerk to put this on here. So, I'm sure you all have seen the burrow is is under major construction. Some of the projects that
you see going on are infrastructure projects that the bureau uh has authorized. Um, some of them are not. Some of them are relating to utility companies, you know, opening up the streets and and doing work. Uh, and that work is carrying on into June because we've had such a bad a bad winter. But
we we expect everything to be buttoned back up before uh the busiest part of summer, third, fourth week in June. That said though, however, if you look at the burrow, uh we have an ordinance that specifies um how they can open up a street, there's a detail that you know when when
that happens and where you can do it and how you can do it and the materials you need to use and all that good stuff. Um but what happens is when utility companies open it up, you drive around town, you see these, I'll call it checkerboard marks all over, you know, the street, you know. So, we're looking to clean that up. And I have uh I'm
going to ask our engineer to take a look at our ordinance to see, you know, if there's if there's an opportunity to um there's nothing worse than seeing a street that is look kind of in decent condition, but we understand the need to have to open up to fix something that's underneath it, but then when they put it
back, you see these, you know, you see this new splotchy asphalt and the old asphalt. So, we're trying to get our hands around that to make it um more consistent and nicer appealing because I think if there's one thing I think we can all agree on is that when you ride around our community, you know, you have
all these beautiful houses and so forth, but when you see the street looking bad, it kind of ruins the curb appeal of of of the burrow and certainly of the folks that live on that street. So, um I just wanted everyone to be aware that we are looking to have um some revisions made to that and and maybe some fee
structures changes as well. So, if everybody's okay with that, Mark, if I could if I could ask you to to put your nose into that ordinance and come back with a recommendation, I'd appreciate it. Okay. Uh, under old business, um, historical museum is on hold. Uh, uh,
back beach excavation is, uh, is is done. We're in the season now. We're we're uh, still working with the, uh, Army Corps of Engineers on on, uh, on a potential program. Uh dredging commissioner >> mayor I believe you guys had a meeting with
the engineer last week. >> Yes. >> Discuss the the next steps with that. >> Authorized that. >> Yeah. Uh act engineering >> as the first step. >> Yep. >> Okay. Uh Army Corps and the Dune project. So we're they're looking to
schedule a another follow-up meeting uh sometime next week. So nothing new to report other than what I reported on the last meeting. Burough Hall renovations. It's just it's it's it's there. We just haven't had the time to uh to dive into it. And the the paper files, I believe, is
>> that's an after. Okay. >> Okay. Um public comments. Um any last round of of of public comments. >> Okay. Hearing >> Oh, no. >> I'm sorry. >> Uh Dave McWills, uh just a question. uh
article in the Herald. Uh mayor of Wildwood has opened up a willingness to continue to work with the core about a Dune project. Where are we in that process? >> Okay. So, so there's another meeting scheduled for next week. Uh there's been
two virtual meetings that we've had with them. Uh so the where we're at right now is there is uh there was borrow areas A, B, and C. A being basically in the water up to say the high tide line. Bar area B kind of takes you back to the middle of
the beach. Bar area C takes you all the way back to the dune. They've removed bar areas B and C from the table. Borrow area A, they intend to take just a little bit of sand to ex to uh uh uh expose our outfall lines um to to do
that. That would be the only sand that they're looking to do. North Wildwood is probably going to get their sand, majority, if not all of it from the Herford inlet. The walkways as you go down through our dunes, they do want to close those up. They originally wanted to do 16 ft. Now they dropped it to 12
ft, which happens to be pretty much the same height, a little bit lower than say the bike path elevation and the decks that we have built south of Ramler Road. So, they're looking to put a vehicle friendly and pedestrian friendly and ADA
accessible accessibility through those dunes where you just kind of come straight out without having to go down on the beach and then have to climb up over dunes. It'll just basically be a straight shot over top of that. All of this is tentative. There's still a lot of negotiations going back and forth with with the Army Corps and the state
to hopefully get some additional things that the burrow has asked for in the past. >> Okay. Okay. So, just would we fill in on either side of the dune underneath this new walkway at 12 ft? >> It it'll close it basically close the It'll close the gaps where the walkway come down. So, then they'll fill it all
the way back so it tapers down and goes across it. >> Thank you. You're welcome. >> Uh just another different subject. It's all spouted off that our valves are >> must be true if it's installed. >> It must be that's why I'm asking. That's why I'm asking that the uh the valves we
installed at the end of the roads along park are not operating as intended. In other words, to close them, we still have flooding. >> That's true. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Actually, I will say that that project, you know, as we're still navigating our way through that Memorial
Day weekend, we had bad tides this past weekend. Um it's been it's been great. Uh the valves have been closed, the water hasn't come back. I've actually saw for the first time in many years folks parking in the street end because they know that there's no flooding going to happen there now. So they're actually it's actually improved parking on on
Park Boulevard. >> Just to just to add to that, mayor, we went out looked at a couple of high tide events and um not only did we not see any water coming up through the inlets, we didn't see any water coming through the bulkheads. So the new bulkheads are are um restricting water coming through
where before it would just pour through. >> Very good. Thank you. Welcome. >> All right. Any other public comment before we wrap the regular normal business portion? >> Uh Joe Ventry 109 East Stockton. I
noticed a lot of markups on uh the gas line work. When is that planned? Is this just preconstruction markups for >> So some of them are are when they call when their first work going on the street, they when they do the call outs, they have to mark up show where the gas
lines are. There are some areas that South Jersey Gas is going to come in. They origin they wanted to tear us up before the summer. Uh we had a meeting with them and said, "No way are you going to open up more streets before the summertime. You're going to punch you're going to push all this back until after the summer." So without the you know,
but there but to answer your question, some of them are markouts because there's another project going on and some of them they're truly going to be some gas line replacement summer. >> Nothing for this summer. No, everything's everything is on hold. the the work that's been is in progress now is going to be finished within two weeks.
>> Okay. And then uh the Stockton downtown Atlantic, they're going to put striping in right then corner >> in Atlanta. >> That if this was a capital job that was the eye bank project. Yes. >> It was pretty bad last year. So thanks. >> You're welcome.
>> All right. Anybody else? >> All right. So here's what we're going to do. So, we are going to excuse the students so they can they can go ahead and uh and get going with their day, have a great day, learn a lot, >> ask questions, >> and ask a lot of questions, and then uh we're going to we're going to we're going to clear the room. We're going to
we're going to have the let our professional set up and then we're going to get ready for the New Jersey Avenue presentation at 10:00. We just need a motion to adjourn. >> Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> All right. That is nine. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Enjoy your day. Enjoy.
>> Enjoy your day, >> Rita. Thank you. >> Say thank you before you leave. Okay. >> Say thank you to them, please. Did you enjoy the game? >> Oh, wait. So, your daughter said that she wasn't with you because she had a
Philly shirt on and she's going great. You know, things are going fabulous. You know what? You want it? You definitely want it. Do you want to get rid of that? >> You want it over there? >> Yeah.
>> No. You know what? I'll put it right now. >> I don't want that job. Yes. Got it. Thanks. >> Boy, that guy is really on the ball. >> I don't think you heard Wait till public comments start.
>> I don't recall. >> I have no recollection. Morning everyone. >> How we doing? >> All right. So, we're uh Do we have enough seats? >> Mrs. Hunt. There's a seat. There's a There's a chair right here. And there's
all over here. >> I know. >> Mrs. Hunt. >> Is there anybody uh Captain is anybody else out in the hallway by chance before we get started? Where are we? Wait, we'll make sure we have anyone else that's out there. >> Sorry, this is live on Facebook as well. Yeah,
>> I'm just turning this off though. You don't mind? Nothing's fine. >> I love seeing a room full of people. >> It's nice. >> He's on his way, Captain. >> Yes. All right, we're gonna I I thought uh captain said there's one more one more
out in the hallway coming. >> Will there be sound on the call? >> Yeah. Can you hear us now? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah, we're we're um can we're going to there's there's definitely sound. And then if you want to if you're watching live live stream, you also hear
audio as well. >> Sorry. Thank you. >> All right. would you be able to send us this so we can have it to upload on our website. >> There's one more chair over here and there's two over there. >> All right. >> There's one more chair here and there's
two over here. >> I updated a lot of stuff. Yeah. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Okay, we're going to get started. All right, everybody. Well, welcome to our final public meeting meeting on the New Jersey Avenue uh business revitalization project. Uh we've been referring to this
issue, this area unofficially as the crest station because it was once a train station uh in the middle of this zone and the name helps us uh preserve an important piece of wild crest histories, but that's not official yet. We could subject to change if if we want to, but um so if you hear the term crest
station, it's it's because there was a train station there and it gives us uh um a reference point to to call this refer to this project. Um so Kate May County owns uh Cresy Avenue uh to Ramler Road. That is a county roadway and they
are planning a road diet to help slow traffic down and improve uh signal coordination along that corridor. So, I just want to give you a quick timeline of everything. This has been going on for quite some time. We've actually started the the the leg work on this
back in 2018 when I was 12 years old. Um, but now when now here in 2026, it's actually coming closer to to a reality. So, in 2018, on about the the Waw Crest Planning Board designated the area from Heather Road to Coline Road as the
downtown area, and planning efforts began that same year. um if you were here uh through the with the Roger Brooks downtown presentation and then in 2019 the burough retained Taylor Design Group to begin the formal planning process. Um there were some public
meetings stakeholder meetings held in 2019 and 2021 uh but the overall process was delayed um and uh from the from the 2020 uh COVID 19 pandemic. In 2024, the burrow established the area as an area in need
of redevelopment by ordinance. Um, and the work that you see going on now here in at the end of it started last year and still going on now. Um, Waller Crest began the sanitary sewer work on New Jersey Avenue. Um, this is the burrow's responsibility and preparation for the
broader county project and the work currently underway is scheduled to be completed by the third week in June. Um, I'd like to introduce uh commissioners Tony Fosilo on my left and commissioner uh Joseph Franco on my right and u and
on behalf of the burough crest again we have a partner in this project. Uh I would like to thank the Kate May County Board of Commissioners and county engineer Bob Church who is uh unable to attend today. I do however have a statement uh to read on his behalf. Um
so this is it's a little bit lengthy. If you like, if you listen to engineers, they like to talk a lot. So, bear with me. Why? Why? Why? >> All right. Um, the county of Cape May has awarded a $13 million roadway reconstruction and traffic signal
synchronization contract to improve New Jersey Avenue, County Road 621 from Rambler Road to uh Rio Grand Avenue. So, that includes Cressy Avenue. The project also includes the creation of parking area community event hub situated
between Sweep Bry Road and Aster Road which is a Wildwood Crest initiative known as Crest Station. The Crest Station can uh be constructed as part of the larger county project under a shared services agreement between the county and the burrow. Completing both projects
under one construction contract will result in cost savings to the burrow by taking advantage of common contractual expenses and reduce the impact on residents and minimize traffic disruptions since both projects will occur concurrently. The work to be
performed under this contract includes the road reconstruction of the New Jersey Avenue from Ramler to Cressy in Wac. It's a distance just a little under uh one mile along with upgrades to existing traffic signals from Rambler Road to Rio Grand Avenue. The roadway
crosssection will be modified from the existing four-lane four through three-lane section into two three lanes and a center turning lane. The roadway reconstruction scope uh work scope includes the removal of the existing asphalt and subbase and
replacement with a new six dense graded aggregate subbase and a 7 and 1/2 thick asphalt paving section. You guys got this. You're taking notes, right? All right. The roadway curb uh to curb to curb width will be maintained. However, the work will include the replacement of the existing concrete curb and concrete
gutter along the entire length of the project and the replacement of concrete sidewalks as needed to maintain proper grade and drainage. In addition, the reconstruction of New Jersey Avenue will also include drainage improvements consisting of new outlets and piping and traffic signal improvements. All
existing traffic signals will be upgraded with new traffic signals within the burrow of Wild Crest and also in the city of Wawwood north to Rio Grand Avenue. The reconstruction of New Jersey Avenue will also include traffic calming measures within the business district between Coline to Heather Road. Within
the subsection of the project, a center landscaped median will be constructed and lined with concrete curb. The project will also consist of the creation of a 5-ft wide dedicated bike lane in the northbound and southbound directions. Traffic striping will
consist of epoxy stripes and crosswalks. the center median located outside of the business district along the project length will receive painted thermos plastic marking markings. All of the roadway improvements and traffic signal upgrades are being funded by the county.
The new hub area known as Crest Station will consist of parking area special event area located along the easterly side of New Jersey Avenue between Sweetbar Road and Aster Road. This area will provide diagonal off- streetet parking spaces and will be situated within a parking area that will receive
de decorative concrete serving as the parking lot surface. Benches, landscaping, decorative area lighting, and streetscape pa treatments will be part of this improvement as it will serve to provide parking and act as a community meeting area for future events. This portion of the project is
being funded by the Burough of Wawa Crest. A total of 11 existing traffic signals will be upgraded as part of the project. The signals are located both within the roadway reconstruction limits of New Jersey Avenue at Rambler Road, Palm Road, Rosemary Road, Sweeper Road,
Cardinal Road, Aster Road, and Heather Road, as well as outside the reconstruction limits, Cresy Avenue, Hilddrth, Hand and Rio Grand Avenue in Wildwood. Typical traffic signal work includes the construction of new signal foundations, standard and mask arms, new
junction boxes and underground conduit, new controller signal heads and pedestrian signal assemblies, as well as new street signage. Due to the amount of of the work associated with various portions of the project, work will take place over two construction phases. Work
will commence as part of phase 1 on September 7th, 2026 and extend until a planned seasonal shutdown on May 15, 2027. Work will resume as part of phase 2 on September 7th, 2027 with a final
completion date of May 15, 2028. The following work activities will occur within the two phases of construction. Um, in phase one, and I'll I'll shorten this. Uh, basically, if you look at Ramler Road and you travel to Coline Road, so you're heading north on New Jersey, that'll be phase one that the
county is going to start right after the summer. And then after the summer of uh of 2027, you're going to see the project that we're going to that Taylor Design Group is going to talk about today and the rest of the county project. So, Coline up to Cressy Avenue will be will be started and finished uh by May 15,
2028. So, that summarizes uh um uh engineer uh Church's uh uh comments for the record. And uh at this time, I'd like to introduce uh um Chris Mera from GPI
and Paul Sino from TNM. They are the county professionals on this project. And now I turn the presentation over to Scott Taylor and Steve Lennon of the Taylor Design Group. Uh they are Wawa Crest uh planning and design professionals. Here you go. All yours. >> Thank you, Mr. Commissioners. Uh, good
morning everyone. My name is Scott Taylor. Uh, with me today is Steve Lennon from Taylor Design Group as well. Uh we've been working on this project going back as the mayor indicated to 2018 uh as the planners and landscape architects uh to try to work on
capitalizing on the county's reconstruction of New Jersey Avenue and stimulating reinvestment in the downtown through traffic calming and trying to transfer this section of roadway from a very vehicular dominated streetscape
into something that has greater pedestrian amenities. traffic calming uh is safer for bikes, pedestrians, and in conjunction with some zoning modifications, can foster economic reinvestment and
redevelopment within that core downtown area. This is a very similar project that we were brought into in Avalon back in 2002. similar issues of an extensively wide right ofway that this the second you step in to cross the
roadway, you're exposed to traffic for 100 to 120 ft. So traffic calming in in key areas in the form of of curb bumpouts, center median islands to discourage jaywalking as well as illegal U-turns. We went through this very
similar process. Um, Avalon actually funded that entire project themselves. Uh, I have some slides where we'll talk a little bit about some of the grant uh and cost sharing and and the burough share uh relative to this. But the burrow looked to capitalize, as the
mayor indicated, on the reinvestment and all the mobilization and contractor um coordination uh to have this done efficiently because this is sort of a once in a several generation opportunity to improve the downtown, make it more bike and ped
friendly and stimulate some of this reinvestment. So, I'm going to go through a a brief presentation and then we'll open it up for questions and answers for the entire design team. Um,
the mayor introduced Paul Cinco from TNM and Chris Mara and we also worked as as part of the team uh with Mark Delasio, the burrow engineer. Um, so this was really a multiaceted approach to to handle all of the roadway, the traffic,
the signal s synchronization as well as the streetscape and amenities and the zoning modifications. So, this goes back and and has been over a decade um in the planning in terms of the studies and analysis at the county level and then as the mayor indicated
from a a streetscape and uh design standpoint since 2018. The mayor mentioned the costs before. The county share of the project is $10.4 million. The Wildwood Crest share is 2.4
$.4 million for a total of just under 13 million. Uh federal money comprises 3.7 million of that. DOT county aid is over 6 million for a total
grant and aid of 9.7 million. So the grant aid and county share of this is 81.2% of the overall project which leaves about 18.8% 8% as the burough responsibility. One of the things that we noted in
Avalon, there was an assessment evaluation done and in 2002, the $14 million outlay for the reconstruction of Dune Drive from just north of the Princeton to 34th Street
was $14 million, 13 or 14. And the return on that based on increased investment in the downtown for the increased ratables was realized in under 10 years. And here 81.2%
of this project is being funded by the county as well as federal and state funds. So, this is really sort of a multi-level approach that we're able to capitalize on that will make our community safer, um create a sense of
place, a more attractive that also calls in some of the history of the station um for visitors and residents for generations to come. The mayor talked a little bit uh about the project schedule. Phase one of fall 20 26 is
Rambler to Coline and then fall 27 is Coline to Cresy and the six blocks of what uh we're referring to as Crest Station. The overall project goals are to create a thematic vision and concept plan for the revitalization of the streetscape,
create a a unique visual identity and placemaking that reflects the character and strengthen pedestrian bike experience. all focused on bolstering the economic viability of the key downtown area. Um, and then also employing those traffic calming measures
to reduce speeds and increase safety for vehicles, for bikes, for peds, for everyone. Uh, some of those improvements, the mayor touched on those. It's going to be a mill repavement and striping of the roadway with curbs as well. There's a
road diet, a narrowing um that the engineers that was mentioned before and the engineers will touch on. We are in key locations bumping those curb lines out on both sides of the street and creating a center median to reduce that length that pedestrians are
exposed to vehicular or even bike traffic when trying to cross New Jersey Avenue. There are dedicated bike lanes and uh decorative crosswalks. All these become part of that traffic calming. Traffic calming is a way of slightly narrowing
streets, doing textured crosswalks, creating vertical attractive elements like street trees to try to slow folks down. It's a natural reaction that if you're driving on a straight wide open road, naturally
driver speeds increase. As soon as we get into a tightened area where there are curb bumpouts and there are street trees and other vertical elements, we tend, and the studies bear this out, we tend to lift our foot off the gas a little bit and slow down a little bit. That's really the goal here. We're
capitalizing on some of these trafficcoming improvements that the county was employing because they are also opportunities to create decorative improvements and also really enhance the bike and ped um experience along the streetscape. We're doing decorative
lighting uh that fits with sort of the nautical character in both the streetscape lighting and also in the crest station core area. We're doing festival lighting over the parking areas. There are accessible walkways and curb ramps obviously to comply with state and
federal requirements for accessibility. There are also streetscape furnishing furnishings uh as well as uh salt and drought tolerant street trees and accent plantings throughout the project. So in terms of the streetscape design, we
talked a little bit before the project area for the core streetscape uh that we'll be presenting today goes from Heather to Coline and we have that that key area in the front here is the existing conditions plan. Just by way is
my cursor showing up on that? Can anyone see that? So basically um Sweet Brier to Aster in this location and here are the uh existing parking lots. So those parking
lots are actually obviously where the former train station was located, where the tracks widened out for the station to be in the center there, similar to Avalon and many other communities uh along the line. uh those that property is going to be conveyed from the county
to the burrow. So the burrow will have control over those parking spaces moving forward for reconstruction. That gives us the ability, and you'll see some of the images, that if we want to be able to close that off on a morning or in an evening at different times of the year,
to be able to have special events or for us to be able to control parking limitations or anything else as we move forward, uh the county was was willing to work with us to be able to convey that to the municipality. So, the overall, let me find my mouse
again. Streetscape extends, as we mentioned before, uh from Heather down to Coline. That includes the center median islands, decorative crosswalk paving. We have uh
street trees, decorative lights, the the center median islands along those six blocks that also have dedicated uh left turn lanes notched into them. again to reduce those those illegal U-turn
movements as well as discourage or eliminate uh with plantings the jwalking issue uh for improved pedestrian safety and then the core area and I'll show some enlargements.
So this is what that standard block looks like. You can see we have concrete sidewalk. There is decorative pavement up against the curb line to provide texture, street trees. Um, within that planting
strip, there is a dedicated bike lane the full length of the project, one through lane and dedicated left turn lanes uh in uh where appropriate and required. curb ramps
um meeting the ADA, the barrier every sub code and the proag requirements and I'll touch on a few of these. The Crest Station core streetscape area design runs from Aster to Sweet Brier
and we're continuing the similar streetscape pattern through the center but then you can also see where the existing parking lots are. Those are all remaining. They will be modified to be paved with
decorative concrete pavers. The stalls will be delineated with pavers. So, this really feels a little bit more like a pedestrian space to slow people down while still providing the same number of parking spaces.
It gives the ability for the burrow to close this off to have special events or festivals at different times of the year and to create that festive resort atmosphere. You can see there are, and it's kind of hard to see in the rendering, but there are festival
string lights that span and cross that parking area that will provide the lighting for that. And again, that festival resort atmosphere, as well as accent plantings. You can see in the zoomed in enlargement
here, we have decorative pole lights. There are uh raised wooden benches that could also function as stage areas to give flexibility in how we engage the street, how we create that life and
vibrancy. And some of that will come down to programming in the future on the part of the burrow and frank frankly on the part of the merchants uh that are within this area. The entire sidewalk and parking area is actually at one grade level. There is no
curb separating the two. So when it is being used in a festival type atmosphere, it will feel like one larger plaza. What we've done to keep vehicles off of the sidewalk when it is being used for parking is we have strategically used
very large jetty boulders at the heads of those parking spaces again to pull on the nautical maritime theme of the crest. We've used ballards and plantings and light poles and benches and other locations. So, this feels like one
seamless sort of festival space that 99% of the time will all will actually be used as a parking lot uh consistent with uh how it's utilized today. Oneway traffic circulation through there. Uh we have a train track
uh pavement theme that runs through this crest station core that you can see in that parking area uh indicated through uh the drive aisle. plantings are, as I mentioned before, uh, drought tolerant, trying to get
seasonal color, salt tolerant, similar to a pallet of materials that we've used and found success with in Avalon and other municipalities uh, along Barrier Islands. Um, this is this is a condition of of what we see
out there today. We've also shown some examples. Um, well, actually, yeah. So this is actually a a view of the of the streetscape uh existing condition and under the proposed condition and this is showing
the space being used for festival. So you can see some tents and tables set up but you can see the train track decorative pavement banners decorative lights accent plantings
shade tree and canopy. You can see these sitting uh bench slash uh stage areas as well as some architectural character elements that have been included in the zoning and design
standards that have been adopted by the municipality. None of these are required features on the part of the business owners. These would all be voluntary that if and when someone comes in and they want to expand their building or improve their building, this is sort of the character that the ordinance uh
permits and and and guides folks to. And we think that long-term um that reinvestment that that rising tide will lift all ships. And we've seen that in Avalon. Avalon struggled for decades where they saw incredible re
reinvestment in their residential areas, but there was um a lack of investment and in some cases stagnation within the business district. So, we're employing some of those same principles here. So that and and it's my understanding that
there has already been um increased activity and interest in reinvesting in the downtown to capitalize on this public partnership at really from the federal, state, county and local level uh to take the crest and and crest
station in particular to the next um into the next several decades. So this is an illustration showing again the festival setup. You can see the festival lights uh strung across the roadway
and again for the 99% of the other time this will function as a parking lot as it does today. In terms of parking, because of some of the bumpouts and some of the geometry reconfigurations,
there is no loss of parking spaces within the entire project area. We've actually been able to increase the number of spaces by anywhere from 10 to 25, perhaps 30 spaces. Some of that depends on as some businesses redevelop
modification of driveway curb cuts, but at a minimum there'll be a net increase of 10 parking spaces. We know what a premium parking spaces are at uh in any downtown and particularly in a in a spatially constrained uh barrier island community.
Um that is my How long did I go? Was that 10? >> It's Thursday. Um, so I will uh I'll turn it over to uh to Chris Mara for a couple comments um on the roadway traffic and signalization.
Um so yeah, touch on some of the things Scott said um for road diets. Road diets are an FHWA proven safety countermeasure. Uh they improve safety because they're removing conflict points specifically at intersections. If you're looking to cross a street with four lanes versus two lanes, two lanes is
obviously going to be safer. Also, by reconfiguring those uh lost two lanes in the bike lanes, uh bike lanes are also a proven safety countermeasure with FHWA. So, you kind of have a a double benefit with that. Um it also reduces travel speed. You don't have people trying to pass other vehicles driving
aggressively. It just naturally calms the traffic down when you're in a single file line. Um multimodal accommodations, a lot of what Scott talked about. Um we're able to bump out the curbs uh reduce the crossing distances red uh improve pedestrian space um and now
bicyclists as well to have their own space along the roadway. Um it is going to be a minimal operational impact. I'll get into that in the next slide. Um and then as Scott mentioned all the economic community benefits of having a calmer roadway. Next slide. Uh so this is the real boring stuff but this is our
traffic analysis that we had done. Um we had done traffic counts uh in 2019. They were projected to a design year uh beyond construction either 20 25 years using population and employment projections. Um with the reduction of the number of lanes we actually are
still able to maintain a very good level of service. Level service is uh basically a letter grade you give to the amount of delay. A level of service A is free flow traffic. There's no one in front of you. You can just go uh F would be bumperto-bumper traffic like you see you know in very in very dense areas. Um
we're able we have basically existing loss of A uh currently and then even with the reduction in lane in lanes we're able to maintain the level of service at A. Um and the counts were done during the summer so it was peak traffic on a Saturday was our worst case scenario. Um so even with the loss of
lanes we're still able to really uh maintain traffic um with the synchronization between the signals that'll improve improve traffic flow and uh keep the signals uh uh synchronized. will have GPS clocks in the controller cabinets. So, all the lights will stay in time uh no matter the time of year,
any clock changes or anything like that. So, that's that's basically that for the traffic signals and then I guess now we'll open up to questions. And one thing to follow up, we touched a little bit on parking. Um
when downtowns become more bike friendly and more ped friendly and those interconnections are made, we find that a lot of folks will actually choose to walk or bike. So that can actually have some positive impacts on the number of vehicle trips at those intersections,
the amount of traffic in the downtown, and also on parking supply because for every person that rides a 6 foot long bike, we don't have to provide a parking space uh for their vehicle. So we we see multiple um benefits out of of really
transferring this from being a vehicular dominated streetscape to one that really is multimodal and accommodates bikes and peds safely. And that I think is our direct and I think the the team is here to answer any questions that the commissioners or public may have.
>> Okay. >> So in case just that we're going to we have we usually have the lect turn up front here. We're not going to be so formal, but what I would ask you to do is if you could just raise your hand. I'll point out the stand up. Just give us your name so we can record it for the record. And then I don't need your
address and go ahead and ask your question and hopefully the appropriate person can answer. Yes, sir. >> Mike 59. What about golf carts? The electric bikes. When we're walking, we got to get the
heck out of the way. one more writing. Actually, I know you're trying to take care of this. I see it on the agenda, but sometimes these people don't consider everybody else. >> Uh, the golf carts. >> Go ahead. >> Do you want to comment on that? The golf
carts utilized the public roadway. Yeah. >> As registered vehicles. I won't comment as to their level of um attention to other motorists or pedestrians and >> and consideration. That that's uh
outside of my area of expert expertise. Um the bicycles and the ebikes will be able to use the streets just like standard bikes in accordance with state law and and any registration and lensure required. um how that is policed is is sort of
outside of the design standpoint unfortunately. >> Uh yeah. Hi, my name is Joe and I have another related question to golf carts. Um are you going to provide um specific parking spaces for golf carts? They
should take up less space. Uh so that is so as we go forward with the project the burrow will be striping because if you go if you look at there now there's no I'll call it designated parking area. There is in the plaza where the diagonal parking is but on New
Jersey Avenue itself there is not. So, as we get into that um with the with coordination with public safety, we're going to probably identify areas that they don't need the the full length of a parking space, but if there's areas that we can put them in there, so we don't have that level of detail yet, but that
is something that is on the that is a further discussion matter. >> Oh, go ahead, Paul. >> Paul, go ahead. You had a you comment. >> Uh no, this unrelated question. The electric lines that are there now that go across
are they going to be underground? >> No, they'll still be >> My name's Jane Kelly. I live on New Jersey Avenue just past Coline. Is this going to continue to be a truck route?
>> New Jersey Avenue currently is the truck route. I live here year round. The trucks go racing down the street. And I'm not saying that they're doing excessive speeds. They're very loud. Uh a lot of bumps and what have you. The other problem is who do I contact about
problems with the work that was done this past winter on our stretch of the street? >> Okay. So, if I I I can't speak for the county, but my understanding is is that the it will remain exactly it is a county roadway, right? It's it's truck
route aka the emergency evacuation route as well. So, it's going to it's going to there there's no changes in that way with respect to the work that's going on, right? that if there's an issue with the work that's going on now, you can certainly contact myself personally or or Mark, he's our engineer, and we can
hand we can coordinate it directly with the contractor, >> right? >> Because I have pictures of the problems that I have, but is not in this scope of of your discussion. So, I didn't want to bring that up, but like I said, I can't see the truck route going through a
single lane in street, the Cressy Station. And I do remember the train station. I remember the trains actively running in front of the house. That's how long I've been here. >> So, but that if you don't if you don't mind sending me an email, we can coordinate and I'll we'll set something
up and look at the issues that you're talking. >> Hi, Junice. Um, two questions. The trees, will they become the barrow's responsibility to maintain? And if, god forbid, they get diseased or they raise curves up and stuff, will the burrow be responsible for that in front of the properties that do line New Jersey
avenue? >> Yes, they are in the right of way. So, they are part of the burrow's believe the shared service agreement, they're they're within the county right of way, but I think uh the county has requested that the burrow be responsible for their maintenance and upkeep. >> They are all
and we sized the tree pits as as large as we could make them. We have sort of a narrow dimension uh between curb and sidewalk, but we lengthen them uh along the length of the road. So, >> I ask because it always happens, somebody knocks one over and then all of
a sudden becomes the property owner's responsibility. >> The trees the trees will also have uh each tree has electric uh to it. So, if if the uh barrel wanted to string, you know, seasonal lights or something like that, they'd have that option as well.
And then parking, will it be metered parking or is it still going to continue to be like free down there so people can come and go? >> Uh, we haven't gotten that far yet, but I I there's been no discussion on whether or not it's going to be parking meter or free if you will. >> Please no meter.
>> Understood. Yes, sir. >> Uh, John Koulsar, I have two questions, please. And I'm sorry if I missed it. I see the diagonal parking on New Jersey, but will there still be parking on the east and the west side of New Jersey? >> Yes. >> Okay. Just wanted the the other question
I have is um on the west corner of New Jersey and Crocus, there's a house there that we've been talking about maybe making that parking. I didn't see anything in here about that. I wonder if there's any developments there. >> Good question. So, so the burrow through the timeline in anticipation that there
may or may not be the need for additional parking Uh there's the Wisteria and New Jersey. There's three individual lots there and then there's one on Crocus. There are no plans in this phase to do anything with parking because I as you indicated
there is a net gain of of parking. So right now it's going to remain open. Uh and right now it's just you know it's just an open lot right now. Maybe as we get through this there may be a need but right now there is no plans to do anything with with those lots. Now that said, the house that's here, public
works has been maintaining it and so forth to kind of keep it looking nice. We did consider selling selling that lot. We just we opted not to until when this project's done. We may very well the value of that lot. So the burough bought these at I'll call it great
rates. Now the burrow is in a position where we could actually get that and then some. So we've got hundreds of thousands of dollars of assets sitting there that we could use if we if we need to. Right now there's there's no plans to do anything with with either one either of those lots.
>> Fran, hold on. Hold on one second. On the line. Hold on. One more here in the audience and I'll come to the conference line. Go ahead. >> Yeah. Fran Fallon at Jellyfish Cafe. The parking 10 spaces in respect to that is not even close to the problems that you
know the parking problems that are there even 30 spaces. I mean, it's really important that I think that these lots at each end become parking lots. That's I believe I've been on a lot of these meetings. That's what they were bought for and they should still be part of
this project. It's very important. Parking is People want to hang me over there. >> Oh, sorry. One on the line. >> On the line. Go ahead. >> Hey, this is uh Joel Singer. Uh I have two questions. Will the parking out
front of the visitors remain as ordinanced now 20 minute parking and 2-hour parking? >> Uh so there as right as of right now those spaces that are there now will basically be the same. Um there's no pretend there's been no discussion on changing you know changing the time
limits and so forth. So in other words so at this point they're going to stay the same. >> Okay great. And then um as far as like festivals down the road like will the businesses be involved in um partaking in that or or you know when would these
be taking place because of the road closures and such. >> Right. So I think that I think it you know one of the reasons why the burrow wants to move forward on this is to engage the businesses to promote their businesses and to have the public come via bike, by car, by by pedi you know
walking. Um, so yeah, we we actually would we encourage the businesses to to do as much as they can and take advantage of the of the park plaza and and and partner with each other each other and the burrow will certainly be putting on, you know, some some events there as well. So, um, we're, you know,
we're still about a year or so away, year and a half away, but the the intention would be to have the businesses heavily involved in in that process. >> Okay. And um I couldn't really see the presentation, so I'd love for that to be sent out to uh people, but um will there
be like I know in in I guess preliminary drawings there was extra seating on the sidewalk. Will that be provided by the burrow or will businesses have to provide that? >> There is extra seating provided in the streetscape as part of the
>> contract in the core area >> in terms of benches. in terms of benches. Yes. >> But cafe seating or something like that can be on the >> the business >> on the business. Did you hear Joel? Did you hear that? >> Yeah. Yeah. And will there be parameters
for it or it's um or whatever you want? >> Yeah. We're we're putting $5,000 a table and $1,000 a chair. No, I'm just kidding. As long as it looks as long as it looks presentable and nice and if you have any questions, feel free to run it past the administration. We can
certainly help you with that. All right, great. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Yes, sir. Oh, hold on. I'll come I'll come back to the conference line. Hold on one second. Yes, sir. >> Uh Dennis Hall, first off, thank you very much. This is exciting. Uh I just have one question pertains to your
printers and also to jellyfish. We have trucks come that deliver paper to us and they have food supplies. We also load sometimes from our front. We don't have back access to do that. So my question is just uh I'm trusting that we will still be able to have deliveries coming
and going from our location between Profus and Pastor just that we're not when the trucks pull up, we're still able to pull there and the traffic can get by without creating some kind of issue. >> The the the parking lot will function as
it does today. Uh, and it's designed, uh, Mark Delasio worked on that with a cross-section to handle, uh, trucks, uh, anticipating deliveries or emergency vehicles. Uh, so >> it's not actually a parking lot, it's the street. So, if a truck pulls up on
one lane, traffic can easily get by the other lane. Now, we're going to one lane. >> Oh, you're saying staying in New Jersey Avenue? >> Yes. Uh, on these on the west side, >> right? Okay. So there have been So if trucks are
currently stopping in the travel cart lane, >> um that's not a condition that's really anticipated because you you're really not not allowed to stop in the actual travel cart lane. There's nothing being
done that would change or prohibit that. There is a bike lane in this location now because we're providing dedicated bike lanes through that route. So whether it is side street or however they continue to uh unload along New Jersey, it may be consistent with what
they had done before. And this is common with what happens in downtowns, especially with those businesses that don't have rear access uh to their loading areas. >> And I I I think that would be something I think that public safety could weigh in on that. I think it if there's a need
for I'll call it a drop off or you know kind of a drop off and loading zone and unloading zone, we can certainly work something out on the on the Wawa Crest side. >> And what I'm hearing you say, if I'm hearing correctly, is the truck may be able to encroach on the bike lane temporarily and traffic can still get
around them. Is that what I'm hearing? I >> I would not I would not say that they can do that. What I would say is uh truck drivers are very good at finding a way to make things happen when they have constraints. >> Say the pavement a good point too is the
pavement width is not changing. >> And just a thing Mr. Marriage just indicated that the pavement width curb to curb is not changing. So that that physical space is still the same. It's just it is it is being occupied the the
number of lanes is being reduced um and the bike lane being introduced. So the the physical width curb to curb remains the same. >> Yeah. But you're you you've cut the by half where his truck's going to be. The question is as a truck pulls up in front
of his property in the bike lane. Is there enough room between the truck and the pretty medians for a car to get by? Dave McGoy, I'm sorry about that. I mean, it's a simple question. How wide between the curb and the median and how
wide does a tractor trailer and can a car get passed? The answer is no. >> I'm not I don't have a business on New Jersey, but the answer to that is no, that's a huge problem for the businesses along that place that you're trying to encourage. >> So, have the uh you still have the
shoulder and then you have the bike lane and then you have the through lane. So, there's still you're going to have 20 ft. >> Question. How wide is what do you got in the bike lane? How much room? >> 5 foot with a buffer. Can a car get past? >> I think it's four. It's not buffer. Just four or five foot. And then you got 8 foot shoulder.
>> Another point. Can Can the drivers make a delivery? >> So if he's pulling out of the lane, he still will clear traffic. If he's pulling that truck off into the bike lane in the shoulder of the parking area, he should have no problem with traffic getting around him. >> Yeah. If he I mean a standard truck
should be what, 10 ft, 11 ft wide max. >> You tell me. I don't know. I don't know how much width there. So that's the question. Is there enough room for >> Yes. >> I'll just tell you my delivery is taking about 20 minutes. >> Mhm. >> It's a long time for a big tractor
trailer to be sitting there. >> You're not going to park right in front of the restaurant because if people already parked, they're in the restaurant. >> So you're not And now you have a solid median in the middle, some type of solid structure in the middle. So where does the truck?
>> There's two lanes there right now. >> There's parking and there's two lanes. >> Yeah. So So I was going to go back and repeat what I had said earlier. If there's going to the project, if there's going to be an issue, then the burrow through our public safety department, we can create a designated drop off area
for the businesses that that will not allow cars there. So a truck can pull in, drop off, and pull out and go. >> Are you ever? >> Yes, sir. >> Do you Do you have any a lotment for the lack
of business that they're going to miss due to construction? >> Hold on one second. >> Due to construction, you're not going to have as much business as there is normally. Has the county since it's a county road consider this as a stipen
towards the businesses to give them money so they could survive through this? because I've been through this before with other townships and I've seen businesses go out and I don't want that to happen here. This is not a these
are people coming through the door sitting down. If the parking is a pain in the butt, the traffic's a pain in the butt, they're losing them customers. So, I just want to know if there was any consideration for the businesses
and the county's eyes. >> No, no, there wasn't any. Uh, >> could there be? >> Oh, I would have to talk to the county about that that issue. >> Talk to Andy. >> Access will be maintained though the the the the duration of the of the project,
right? I mean, >> what do you mean access to businesses? Yeah. Oh, yes. Yeah. I mean the uh the way the uh MPT will work that uh it'll be in the offse so it'll have you know less impact on businesses and traffic will utilize Pacific Avenue as a detour.
So they'll take um segments of the project length and detour traffic around where they're doing active work. So >> is this considered off season right now? We in offseason. They've been in front of me for 3 weeks now and it's a
nightmare. Just letting you know. And I don't know if this is all season or not. >> They've been there for three weeks. >> What I was mentioning previously, so we had a beta winner. They're we're just trying to get it done before we get to the super busy part of the season. So I
I would cons I was I would >> I'm just saying if this I don't know if this was considered an offseason and it's a real pain with them in front of you. >> Yeah. So listen in construction I get it. It's not just here. It's everywhere. Short I call it short-term pain long-term gain. So if we can just >> cooperate and be patient. I think I
think you're going to love it when it's all said and done. But it's going to it's going to come with some headaches. Uh on the conference line. Go ahead. >> Hi. Thank you. I reside between Heather and Crocus and my house is on the historical res registry. It's about 100 years old this year. Uh we rely on on
street parking and it's difficult to see on the video if there is going to remain on street parking. I heard about median, single lane and bike lane, but my house and my neighbor's house do not have any off- streetet parking. Are we going to lose our parking? >> No. No. Your answer is no. And for the
record, I just need your name. >> Oh, sorry. Jonathan Little. >> Got it. Thank you. The answer if you uh our our professional team said no, you will not lose your parking. >> Outstanding. Thank you so very much. I appreciate your time. >> You're welcome. Yes, ma'am.
>> Uh Steve Pagley on Dairy Delight. I've been on that corner for uh 43 years. And my only concern, though it may be a little self- serving, is am I still going to have my pull up in front of my pull up ice creek bar
and still have the parking on the other side of the uh bike lane >> on the west side, the bike lane and then the parking. Everything's the same. >> Everything stay same. >> I'd like to compliment you. I think it's futuristic and someday it's going to be great.
>> Thank you. >> Uh conference. I'm sorry. >> Yes, ma'am. Hi, good morning everyone. Firstly, I want to thank you all my council for doing a wonderful job in Montana. Uh my name is Steve Ocowsky. Uh we live here around for about 36 years. Raised our children here. Um I'm very
excited about this project. I've made so many notes. Um I've been excited about this project since I've seen the renderings. All of our neighboring short towns have a lovely main street. Um I think Wild Crest should have the same. If anyone here knows our town, you see
the improvements we've seen our parks, our rec center, our library, arts pavilion, anything that our we put our hands on. You guys put your hands on it. It's been lovely. And if you hands me to our town, our pool, um I have people that come here to visit us and they say,
"We really do live in paradise." I took a woman around the other day who was our office on Friday and she just never really saw a lot of crust and she said, "Oh my goodness, she's I drove by the lake enhancements and uh I'm proud to
live here. I see nothing but positive uh things about this um project. I think it's going to enhance our property values, our our town the way it's a beautiful town and I think everything here will enhance it and I know that you folks have looked into it have done all
the research and I think it just looks beautiful and I just wanted to commend you all for putting so much time and effort into it because I'm really proud that we're going to have such a beautiful ministry. Thank you. Anybody else in the audience? Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah,
um I just have a question. This is going to be absolutely gorgeous because everything you've touched looks beautiful. Um the laundry service. Um can we just address maybe the front of that building and some maybe assistance
with making it cleaner and looking prettier or or did they have another home that they could go to? So, so the laundry is going to is is staying. The the cost to relocate is phenomenal and certainly don't want wild
crest paying for that. So, unfortunately, we're going to have to work with um you know, they're part of the business or part of the community, but we are in in the plans uh in discussions with Taylor Design Group. Um there is going to be some some landscaping and some buffers to kind of shield and have
it look as part of the downtown. We'll do the best that we can. Yep. >> We've also worked on some concepts that of things that could simply be done to put a little bit of lipstick on that facade if they are to remain. Um that
that the mayor has said, let's let's at least have that discussion and see how agreeable they are to being a part of our renaissance. If if if they are part of us, let's let's try to embrace that. We do have some street trees going in. We're trying to create
it's like hiding a a telecommunications pole. You sometimes you just can't. You do the best you can. You try to draw the eye and the attention down by by doing decorative pavement and accent plantings at ground level and putting some street trees in there. It it will be a little
bit less in your face because as you drive down now that is the only tall thing and it really creates a different imposition on the human scale. So as you get start to get a treelined street there and there is other height it it
will jump out a bit less >> just just if you have not gone around the building and if you're making this a walk a beautiful walkway I mean they have blowers blowing right onto the sidewalk so if you know working with them to maybe do some of that to I mean
that's going to turn people away I think so. >> Got it. Yeah. >> Okay. Uh Mr. Thompson. >> Yeah. Uh David Thompson. Uh one question, one comment. Um the parking in the two properties were bought for parking lots. Um I would like to just
say uh as far as a future uh I understand now there's already either application in or coming in to build five stores and four stores five living quarters upstairs between well I guess
that's uh Aster and and uh >> Cardinal. So, if we're going to put residents up there, I understand they'll have parking for the residents in the back. But we all know when you build these town houses, condos, they have parking for two cars and they bring four. My concern is that they're going
to start parking out front, their family, friends, whoever is coming. So, I think in the future, both parking lots will be necessary once we start building housing over there. So, I would highly recommend holding on to them the long term and see what happens because even the building you're in, I can see that
eventually being sold and being the entire block full of housing up there and that would need the parking for street at uh sweep as well. So, I would highly recommend keeping both of them for future because of the living situation coming there. The second thing I have is I had spoke to the county
engineer back when I was in office about the um divots in the road between I believe it's Crocus and Heather >> and he had told me he thought that was just from the old railroad tracks but I said they were taken out and that had gotten paved over once and within a year
those divots were back and I suspect you may have an underground stream or something there but I don't know if that's specifically been addressed how to keep them from coming right back but they did the last time when they tried to just open it and pave it and that went away and I do not believe the
railroad tracks are there. So that section is really going to have to be addressed separately as to how to stop that from happening. There's a lot of hub caps on that section. >> My house literally vibrates cars when trucks the road I don't disagree with
you Paul couldn't. >> Yeah, it's my vibration. >> Is it northbound or southbound? It's in the northbound northbound between uh Crocus and >> Heather Paul on your way out of town. Could you I
wouldn't mind if you wouldn't mind just stop and take a lay set eyes on it. What he's cuz it is it is bad. >> Sure. >> So is it sort of a sort of a washboard? >> So it's turned into a washboard. >> Yeah. >> I shaking your silverware there. It's a
jellyfish, right? fun. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I'm really encouraged by this plan. I think it is terrific and exactly what this area needs. In fact, my partner and I recently made a significant investment in that district excited and knowing
this is this is coming. If I understand the redevelopment plan and the zoning uh tweaks that are part of that uh my understanding is it's to encourage that residential development up top with the commercial on the bottom
and what Mr. Thompson said, obviously we know what happened to the residential and understand the zoning requires parking for that, but if I read the the redevelopment plan right, it also is exempting commercial parking on site uh
as part of that development. And I think that's fine and it makes sense for what we're trying to see happen here. But I just want to encourage the commission to consider actually accelerating uh the development of these auxiliary parking lots both for and crocus because I think that's what we want. We want to see this
entire area built up in that direction and that one missing link is that additional parking. I know that there was some discussion here today about obviously perhaps need for designated loading zones that may not have been considered yet. Uh again, we want to see
that because we want to see these businesses active. But as part of that, I I would just encourage the commission to consider accelerating development of those parking areas. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um back to Wildwood Linen. >> I need your name.
>> Oh, Barbara Falco. >> Thank you. Um, I understand that it's it's kind of an eyesore and you're going to do your best to fix it up and make it look nice, but shouldn't they have to help maintain that section, too? Because
I don't even want to I walk all the time. I don't want to even walk past there. It is dirty and filthy. And going down the side is the same. and if we're going to put all this money into it for them, they should have to maintain it.
>> So, in our in and I know the the principal that owns it isn't here, but in our conversations when we learned that there's no plans to move, they were meanable to, hey, present us with a plan that you would like us to consider to do
on the exterior of our building and we'll be happy to consider parts of it, all of it, whatever. So there is there is a level of cooperation that we expect. So we will address we will certainly address all that and Taylor's going to help help us with hey here's what here's what you here's what this
could look like and can you that they to their credit they just put a brand new roof on I noticed and they think they did some exterior painting and so forth. I mean but you know certainly it's not going to match what we have there. Um but I think there's still some work that has to be done but they're they are definitely amanable to future plans
future projects and fixing it up. Mayor, I just actually shared the the exhibit we did put together. I took >> Okay. >> took some liberty. This is our existing condition. >> Your HD live. >> Oh, >> it looks great on my desk.
>> I'm so sorry. >> So, pull it out and boot back up again. >> Try. >> Yeah. >> Did the TV time out? Sometimes >> unplug it. Plug it back in. >> I'm very old. I'm sorry. I'm not used to this stuff. >> If you would do it before and after.
>> Um, >> yeah. So that's the existing condition and and the investment that the that the burrow and the county are making are only within the right of way along the the frontage and there's there's nothing actually being proposed on their property. But as as the mayor said some
willingness for them to, you know, hopefully partner with the town. We came up with what some face lift might look like. We're showing some of the street trees and the decorative plantings in the foreground that will be in the right of way. And simply applying some Bahama
shutters, some changes to colors, and adding some of those other features could help reduce that visual mass and imposition. So hopefully um we can get some cooperation from them
and this would be a good long-term solution. >> The other thing is as things develop around or through this zone, economics may change and and they may feel differently about staying put,
you know, that that could be an option, too, >> right? And that's a good point. As as this reinvestment and as land prices increase, it it may make sense for them to just move elsewhere and it may get to that get to that point.
>> Any more questions? >> Yes, sir. >> Hi. Uh Keith Dler. So there was a discussion I believe about the gateway between the bike path and the downtown district like pad zone or andor bike zone down Cardinal.
>> Yeah. So so there's that part of >> the burrow has a a master plan a proposed master plan. Um so part of this project there's going to be bike lanes as uh Taylor design uh indicated north and south but to get the bike traffic
and the pedestrian and we're the they're in the master plan to connect the WA crest bike path to the to this new business district to hopefully encourage bicyclists to come over and patronize the businesses uh in this area. So that
is uh that is absolutely on the table. Uh, so, um, no, it could very well be done. It's not part of this project because it's not on New Jersey Avenue, but as you connect it to the bike path, the burrow would have a separate project in conjunction with the contractor that's doing the work to do that work.
>> No loss of parking that I would assume. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Anybody else? >> Sir. >> Hey, Don. Um, so I just want to address I was talking to Tony about this the other day and one of the things we just
want to make sure we mark down somewhere is that uh the trash buildup gets more and more as we get more businesses and we want more businesses and this is all great amazing all the work you've done and we I've been through the years with you and all this but just noticing the
track I we'll have to figure out somewhere down the line like how to either conceal it or pick up times and things like that. So, I just want to get that on the folks that somewhere down the line we should talk about that and we don't want to visit this district and then have trash cans out there.
>> Understood. 100%. Yep. No, I So, just on that comment, so one of the things that we did years ago was same same idea, right? So, you have the everyone walks to the beach. Everyone, you know, loves Wa Crest beaches. When you walk past the hotels and so forth, you would see all these dumpsters overflowing and the
trash cans. So we added a Sunday pickup so that folks didn't have to smell it, see it, and so forth. So the same thing could occur here. Mr. Edner, who sits right next door, next right beside you, can certainly make magic happen for you. >> You got it.
>> Yes, sir. >> Tom Hunt while Crest and also owner of Crest Coffee, which is in the district there. Um, first of all, thank you. This is great. We love this is one of the reasons why we decided to open up the coffee shop there is we saw your vision for what you wanted to do there do there
and uh and I agree with a couple people that said that I really do think you do um you should really explore opening up those parking lots and the reason is different and I might get in trouble with some of the other business owners when I say this but I think you're
missing an opportunity to really um make a destination more than just a business district. I know one of the first renderings that were was out there was there was no parking in front of the stores and it was actually more of a park-like setting. Um I think that
becomes a destination then whereas now it's a it's a pretty parking lot. Um now granted I think it's great all the money is going to go into this. I think it's going to be 100% better than it is now. But I think 10 years from now, I think
there might be some regret that we didn't take the opportunity to make it a destination rather than just a pretty parking lot. Um, so I I don't know what the thought process was, why this the plan changed from the original plan or I should say the original rendering to
what it is now. But um, and again, I'm a business owner there. Um, and I'll reiterate something that someone else had said. I think one of the professionals said that uh majority of the people that come to our coffee shop come by foot or come come by bike. They don't park there. Most of them don't.
Most of them don't park there because that's a whole another conversation about 2-hour parking and 20-minute parking. But we'll save that for the commissioners meeting. But most I would say 75 80% of the people that go there walk or bike. So again I I I think it's an
opportunity to make a destination rather than a really nice parking lot. Thank you, sir. >> Anybody else? >> Yes, sir. >> Are there bike plane bike racks? >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> I I don't see Mrs. Nickerson here, but she did come to a commission meeting and she did request, so I'll formally put it on the record on her behalf, she requested a water feature somewhere in the dis in the project zone. She really thought that adding an element of a water feature in maybe the medians or
somewhere would be something for her to consider. And she's been she's been die hard asking for lights for the trees so we can put Christmas lights up during the holidays and and so forth and and create a little more festive look. Yes, ma'am. So, just to go back with the parking lot situation again, I'm going
to request because I was part of the Wisteria block of the west side, uh, saying that we do not want a parking lot there because there is a obviously a cedar tree that's been there forever that has a nest in it. Um, if we can somehow look at it as possibly doing some kind of a area that people can go
to and assemble. So, if they go get coffee at your shop or Barry's Buns or whatever the corner property is going to be, uh, I heard pizza. Not sure if it's going to be pizza or not. Um, but somewhere where people can go and sit. Like if you look now at the ice cream store across the street next to the laundromat, those people are all over the sidewalk. There's nowhere for them
to sit, you know? So maybe if you made that space at >> the actual park, we joke we call your pictures on the common flag. >> I found out who did that, by the way. >> I didn't do it, but I know who did. >> Um, but it's an area where I mean I've
seen Barker sitting somebody put a picnic bench there. It's the best thing ever. And I've seen people sit there and actually like eat lunch. And I think it's a great area for it. You know what I mean? Like people, especially the Mexican restaurant, people go from there. You know, make it somewhere people can go and actually sit and relax
and eat their ice cream. You know, make it something pretty. I mean, I know some neighbors have done renditions of a park. But that could be where you put your water element. Just saying. Maybe you have like, you know, a little stage with a guitar area so someone go out there and strum at night time when they're stream. But just please don't forget that concept because we own the
stereo would appreciate it. So, so to just so touch on the parking comment. So, the bar does have the three lots. It has one lot on the corner of Crocus. Um, so what I think what we're hearing today is is hey, hey, maybe there isn't we really would like to see some additional parking. It doesn't necessarily have to
be in these areas that we have already own. Maybe there's additional acquisition. And I'm just being honest is there's there was concern about project cost. You know, do we do a parking lot now? We had some net gain. Let's hold off on it. Do we want to acquire more lots? because there's not a day that goes by where someone says you're spending money on this and this
and that. But if if everyone says, "Hey, we want parking." We can certainly look into that. That's that's a non-issue. We we work for you. We just want to hear your comments. But I think over overwhelmingly today, we heard don't give up on the parking. Maybe there are some other areas that we need to be looking at. We have a year and a year
and a half to plan for it. Francine can put some Miracle Grow on the money tree and make it happen and and then we'll go from there. >> Yes, sir. >> Just to touch on that real quick. um you're going to have to buy the other house next to leader printers to enlarge
that parking lot regardless of what we're going to have to spend on it. Um the what's there now is really not big enough to do what you want without the purchase of that. And that's a bullet we have to bite. We bought that property fairly cheap. We bought Wisteria fairly cheap. So you're going to have to plan on buying that house with it. And on her
note, you probably on Wisteria is big enough to maybe incorporate a part of that corner for somewhere to sit and eat and do. The water aspect is great. Um, you're still going to need parking there, but you probably could take a large enough section out of that to do both the parking and the um the water
and a spot to eat, but kind of too big to just make it all just park or eating and and lose the parking aspect. They're going to build houses right across the street there on those um commercial buildings. You're going to need it because you know their their guests are going to be parking all over the street
everywhere they can. Thank you, sir. All right. Anybody else? Anybody on the conference line have any public comments? >> All right. So, before we before we depart for today, I want to first of all thank everybody for coming and sharing your ideas and your thoughts and I want
to thank all of our professionals um for their hard work. Um we still have some things that we need to button up, but we laid out the timeline. Um thank you for bearing with us as we work through um the construction, the infrastructure work that's going on now. I I I just we certainly understand the
inconvenience. Uh um just bear with us and and you know it's about another year and a half of pain and then then then hopefully it'll be something that we can all be very proud of when it's all said and done. And I think if you ask yourselves what is the what is the one thing that's missing here in Wildwood
Crest, it is that that that downtown that that feel of somewhere to go and get an ice cream cone or, you know, or or go, you know, patronize a retail shop or or whatever that and and c some coffee. By the way, anybody here, there's free coffee at the Crest coffee
shop after this meeting. Stop by and we're all coming for the Crest coffee shop. Um, but no, it's it's all good stuff. And I, you know, again, this has been a lot of work in the making since for eight years this has been going on. So, it's time to to bring this to it's like a marathon. It's time to get it
across the finish line. Um, but, um, the presentation from today, uh, we'll ask Brian, uh, to get it up on our up on our website so you can certainly download it. Um, and if you have any questions, feel free to email our clerk or any of the governing body members and and we can certainly take it up with our
professionals. And we'll we'll if you ever tune in to our commission meeting, if we ever have any updates, we'll certainly we'll certainly have, you know, any updates shared at the commission meetings, but this will this will be the last public comment uh session andor public meeting on this particular project, but we can certainly hear it at the regular commission
meetings. So, thank you all for coming. I we appreciate you and governing body, anything you want to add? >> Well, just that I I have sat in on that side of the audience. I I my husband and I do own a building on this area in this area. So I have sat on the other side.
So I completely understand where you're coming from and I I share all your thoughts about parking and so I understand. I I hear you and I understand. >> All right. All right. Thanks for coming. Go get your free coffee at the Crest coffee shop.