June 17, 2015 Brigantine, New Jersey A Council meeting was held this date in Council Chambers at 5:00 P.M. with Mayor Guenther presiding. Present: Bew, McClay, Picardi, DeLucry, Sera, Simpson, Guenther Absent: None Mayor Guenther led the flag salute after which Councilman Sera offered a brief prayer. Mayor Guenther read the statement pertaining to the Open Public Meetings Act. Councilwoman Bew moved, seconded by Councilman Sera to adopt the following resolution. RESOLUTION 2015-131 EXECUTIVE SESSION City Clerk Lynn Sweeney read the statement pertaining to the Open Public Meeting Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231, excluding the public from a meeting in certain circumstances. Council retired to executive session at 5:01 P.M. Council returned from executive session at 6:10 P.M. Municipal Attorney Fred Scerni reported that Council discussed the following topics in executive session: personnel matters regarding promotions within the Public Works Department, contract negotiations with the Government Workers Union Local 300, status of the PBA and Fire Department Union negotiations, contract information regarding a lease with Rutgers and the installation of CoDar antennas, contract discussion involving the Army Corp of Engineers regarding bulkheads, litigation matter regarding Cox vs. City of Brigantine. Councilwoman Bew moved, seconded by Councilman Sera to approve the requisition list, operating expenses and payroll. Councilman Picardi questioned the reimbursement to the CFO for medical benefits and the payment for furniture and City Manager Ed Stinson explained the insurance was a COBRA payment and the furniture was for the CFOs office. Councilman Sera questioned the payment to Vital Communications and Mr. Stinson explained that this was for the reval contract payment. Councilman DeLucry asked for clarification for the public regarding the payment for the condo reimbursement for trash pickup and Mr. Stinson explained how the calculation is completed. Public Comment on Agenda Items Only Anne Phillips of 308 27 th Street asked about the status of the dispatcher s contract.
John Pucci of 100 Sheridan Square asked what type of training the local organizations have regarding drunk driving. He then asked about the I.S.O. rating and what effect it has the insurance premiums for local homes. Mayor Guenther called for the public hearing on Ordinance No. 12 of 2015, a bond ordinance appropriating $1,000,000 and authorizing the issuance of $950,000 in bonds and notes of the City of Brigantine for the design and construction of a streetscape project to be undertaken by the City of Brigantine. Anne Phillips of 308 27 th Street questioned what was to be achieved by this project, saying the most of the money will be spent on unseen costs, such as paperwork and professional input. Mayor Guenther clarified that this project grant has a general scope of work that council will have the final say in what will be completed and the soft costs should be minimal. Mr. Stinson explained the expected soft costs along with the process. John Pucci of 100 Sheridan Square expressed that he is favor of the bond ordinance, saying it will be a positive thing for the businesses. Council Comments Councilman DeLucry questioned what the process was going to be for the project and the bids and questioned whether it will it yield value for the dollar and Mr. Stinson explained the details of the work that is to be completed further saying that a committee was formed to review the bids. Councilman Simpson said he felt this was great for the businesses. Councilman Sera also stated that this was good for the community and the businesses. Councilman Picardi moved, seconded by Councilwoman Bew to adopt Ordinance No. 12. RESOLUTION 2015-132 EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE Councilman Picardi moved, seconded by Councilman Sera to adopt the following resolution. RESOLUTION 2015-133 INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE Councilman Picardi moved, seconded by Councilwoman McClay to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 2015-134 INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE RESOLUTION 2015-135 INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FIRE FIGHTER ASSISTANCE GRANT, HOMELAND SECURITY RESOLUTION 2015-136 AUTHORIZING REBID OF OPEN BOX CONTAINERS RESOLUTION 2015-137 DESIGNATING T.D. BANK AS OFFICIAL DEPOSITORY RESOLUTION 2015-138 AWARD OF CONTRACT EXPERT FOR COAH LITIGATION RESOLUTION 2015-139 RATIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT WORKER S UNION LOCAL 300 (DISPATCHERS) CONTRACT
Mr. Scerni explained that a yes vote would be in favor of the resolution which supports the proposed contract and no vote is contrary to accepting the proposed contract. Roll Call: Bew, McClay, Picardi, DeLucry, Sera, Simpson, Guenther: All No. Motion Defeated. Police Sgt. Tom Wodazak reported on any incidents at each of the liquor establishments. RESOLUTION 2015-140 RENEWAL OF NAPA RES, LLC RESOLUTION 2015-141 RENEWAL OF HARBOR BEACH BLVD., LLC RESOLUTION 2015-142 RENEWAL OF L.M.B.K. John Connoly of 251 12 th Street South complained about the noise from Laguna Grill, stating that there should be a decibel level maximum in the ordinance and a decibel meter available for the police department to use and Police Chief Tim Reed explained that the department does not have a decibel meter nor are they certified or trained to use this device and Mr. Scerni explained that in order to add decibels to the ordinance, the equipment and the training are needed; further suggesting to have the business work with the public. RESOLUTION 2015-143 RENEWAL OF THE COVE AT BRIG BEACH, LLC
RESOLUTION 2015-144 RENEWAL OF CTF BEACH DEVELOPMENT RESOLUTION 2015-145 RENEWAL OF RNR BRIG, LLC RESOLUTION 2015-146 RENEWAL OF TWELVE EIGHTEEN BRIGANTINE CORP RESOLUTION 2015-147 RENEWAL OF AMERICAN LEGION RESOLUTION 2015-148 RENEWAL OF ELKS
RESOLUTION 2015-149 RENEWAL OF BRIGANTINE YACHT CLUB RESOLUTION 2015-150 RENEWAL OF VFW RESOLUTION 2015-151 AUTHORIZATION FOR EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT WITH RUTGERS FOR CODAR ANTENNAS Mr. Stinson explained that this is a radar station that works in cooperation with the Coast Guard and NOAH, saying they measure the wave height and current. Consent Agenda Councilman Picardi moved, seconded by Councilwoman Bew to approve the following request. A. Elks Raffle License #743 Manager/Council/Committee Discussion: Fire Department I.S.O Rating Fire Chief Alan Weidner explained that this rating is used for insurance, saying that the department has moved up to a Class 3 and is a cumulative work that rates the efficiency of the department. Mayor Guenther gave an update on the Economic Development/Tourism/Special Events Committee. Councilwoman McClay commented that permit fees are no longer being
waved for Sandy damaged homes and Mr. Stinson stated that there is no cost if the permit was submitted prior to December 31 st. Public Comments Anne Phillips of 308 27 th Street commented on the cancellation of the Blues, Brews and BBQ event and Mr. Stinson commented that the event was cancelled by the event coordinator, not the City and made every effort to work with the event coordinator; having numerous meetings with public safety departments. Micheal Feely spoke as the coordinator of the Blues, Brews and BBQ event stated that last year he met with the former City Manager and the then members of council many times and has extensively met with the new members and the City Manager this year, but certain resolutions were not completed; such as the waving of the alcohol on the beach and he could not meet his deadline. Mr. Stinson explained that the City Solicitor was not comfortable with the deadline dates. John Pucci of 100 Sheridan Square questioned the flow of traffic at the lighthouse circle, asking who has the right of way. Council Comments Councilman DeLucry explained his vote on the Blues, Brews and BBQ event, saying he abstained because he did legal work for Mr. Feeley, stating further that he feels the fault does not fall on Chief Reed or Mr. Feeley, saying that the extreme limitations put on this event were more than any other event has ever had to do. Councilman DeLucry then reminded everyone of the beach clean up this Saturday and announced that Father Al from St. Thomas Church was transferred to Haddon Heights and said he will be missed. Councilman Simpson commented that the former Public Safety Director wanted to charge the Polar Bear plunge for the City services even though it was a charity event, further stating that he supported the Blues, Brews and BBQ event but did question where the funds were going. Mayor Guenther stated that he supported the Blues, Brews and BBQ event also, but he stands behind the police departments choices and limitations. Mr. Scerni commented that he had legal concerns with the particulars of the event and the time constraints did not allow for the research needed. Councilman Picardi moved, seconded by Councilwoman Bew to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M. Lynn Sweeney, RMC, City Clerk Mayor Philip Guenther