Minutes of Commissioners Meeting   -   June 25, 2008

Prior to the opening of the meeting, Mr. Groon led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Borough of Wildwood Crest, Cape May County , New Jersey , was held in the Municipal Court Room at 7:00 p.m.  On roll call the following answered to their names:

Gould - Cabrera – Groon – Yes

Mr. Groon read the following statement:  In compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, the notice requirements have been satisfied as to the time, place and date of holding said meeting by posting notice on the bulletin board in the Borough Hall and by mailing same to the Gazette-Leader and The Press on November 7, 2007.

Mr. Groon next announced the one-way in and the one-way out method of ingress and egress in case of emergency.

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 779-08

(Authorizing the Tax Collector to issue a check made payable to the Borough of Wildwood Crest from the Lien Redemption Account in the amount of $2,672.29 and thereafter deposit in the Current Account)

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Groon, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 780-08

(Authorizing a professional services contract with Randy Lafferty as Municipal Prosecutor for a term of one year, said term expiring July 1, 2009)

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 781-08

(Authorizing the CFO to void certain checks from the Payroll and Trust Escrow Accounts)

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Groon, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 782-08

(Authorizing the Borough Clerk and CFO to execute any documents necessary for the purpose of establishing a “Repetitive Wire Transfer Agreement” with Sovereign Bank)

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 783-08

(Authorizing Triad Associates to submit an application and agreement to the NJDOT for a Centers of Place Program Grant at the not to exceed contract amount of $3,900)

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 784-08

(Authorizing re-appointment of Jeff Walden to the UEZ Board of Directors for a term of one year, said term expiring June 28, 2009)

Mr. Cabrera motioned, seconded by Mr. Groon, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 785-08

(Authorizing issuance of Raffles License to Wildwood Crest Volunteer Fire Company No. 1)

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 786-08

(Authorizing the issuance of a Special Events Permit to Lisa Travascio and Thomas Eagan for a block party to be held on Saturday, July 19, 2008 on the 100 each block of Louisville Avenue )

RESOLUTION NO. 787-08

(Authorizing issuance of a Special Events Permit to Barbara Monahan and Timothy Bennett for a block party to be held on Saturday, July 26, 2008 on Charleston Avenue between New Jersey Avenue and Bayview Avenue )

RESOLUTION NO. 788-08

(Authorizing issuance of a Special Events Permit to Kathleen Raffa for the purpose of hosting a wedding of Tracey Scufield and Liane Ritzer on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Fitness Park on Ocean Avenue )

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Groon, that the foregoing Resolutions be adopted.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 789-08

(Authorizing the public sale of bicycles from the previously held on-line auction for the total cost of $30)

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 790-08

(Authorizing re-appointment of Andrew Cafiero as Public Defender)

Mr. Cabrera motioned, seconded by Mrs. Gould, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 791-08

(Authorizing advance payment of a portion of the July school tax payment in the amount of $105,000 to Crest Memorial School )

Mr. Groon motioned, seconded by Mrs. Gould, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that all bills properly authorized, as submitted and which appear in full hereinbelow, be paid.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that all reports received, from the Court Administrator, CFO, Tax Collector, Chief of Police and Recreation Supervisor for the month ending May 31, 2008 be accepted as presented and filed.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Mr. Cabrera motioned, seconded by Mrs. Gould, that the 3 taxi cab licenses for Butler Fly for calendar year 2008 be approved.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

The Clerk reported with regard to the Defined Contribution Retirement Program and the required ordinance, that on June 18, 2008, he met with the CFO and the Solicitor to define the positions for inclusion in the DCRP based upon information received from the State. He added that the Solicitor was working on the required ordinance and it was anticipated that it will be ready for introduction on July 9, 2008.

With regard to the COWCO Renewal Agreement, the Clerk indicated that he had nothing new to report. He added that an indication of intent will be necessary, and the Solicitor was discussing an extension of that agreement with the Solicitor for the City of Wildwood. The Solicitor added that North Wildwood has already adopted based upon an extension being received. The Solicitor suggested listing the matter for the July 9^th meeting.  Mr. Groon stated that there have been significant changes in operation since the inception of the agreement, and it was his opinion that the current contract should not be extended. The Clerk agreed, stating that there appear to be substantive changes needed.

The Clerk indicated that a dialogue will be necessary with regard to the concession rental at the fishing pier. He added that he has received substantial comments from the Solicitor with regard to the proposed terms and conditions, as well as some suggested changes from the Engineer. The Clerk stated that additional direction will be required from the governing body and requested that they review the information supplied by the Solicitor, and specifically answers to her questions, so that additional dialogue/change can take place. Mr. Cabrera indicated that he has not had a chance to fully review the Solicitor’s comments. Mr. Groon stated that it should be finalized at the next meeting.

With regard to the telephone system upgrade, the Clerk indicated that a final determination will be required from the governing body, provided funds are available.

Concerning the Rambler Road Park Project, Mr. Groon reported that the committee met on Monday, June 23^rd, to review some issues that had been raised by Commissioner Cabrera and Mr. Groon at an earlier meeting. Mr. Groon had suggested that the Nesbitt Center be turned into retail space as a rental concession for the Borough. He indicated that that suggestion was not well received by the committee, adding that they would prefer some type of recreational support in the facility. With regard to the turn-around, the committee as a whole agreed that the turn-around should remain since there is a traffic issue in the area. The committee also decided that they are comfortable with the current plan, and no changes were required. Mr. Groon stated that the finalization of the tables and vegetation was not included in the plan and a conversation will be required for that. However, discussion of the structures and the size was finalized. He indicated that once the plan is completed, the governing body will have to determine costs.

Mr. Cabrera stated that he is in full support of development of the park, but he has some concerns about the turn-around. He indicated that he understood the reasoning behind the turn-around, but it was his opinion that if people know that there is a turn-around, it will attract additional vehicular traffic. It was his opinion that it would be a conflict with the bike path. The Clerk responded that, according to the Engineer, there is adequate room for going around vehicles that may be dropping off passengers in the area to keep the flow of traffic constant. Mr. Cabrera stated that it appears to him that it is creating more congestion, and it would be duplicating the drop off area on Ocean Avenue. He added that he will not hold up the project over the matter. Mr. Groon stated that the committee has spent considerable time talking about the matter, and there is a solid belief that although there will be a drop off area on Ocean Avenue, people will still drive down Rambler Road. The Clerk asked the Chief of Police if the turn-around would not provide for a more orderly flow of traffic. The Chief of Police agreed with Mr. Groon’s assessment that people are creatures of habit and they are used to going down Rambler Road to drop off passengers. Mr. Cabrera inquired who would have the right-of-way at the turn-around: vehicles or bicycles. The Chief of Police responded that by state statute, once the turn-around is in place, bicycles will have the right-of-way and vehicles will have to stop for bicycles or pedestrian traffic.

Nancy Pietropaoli, a member of the committee, indicated that visitors to the information center are not the problem with regard to traffic. She indicated the problem lies with people dropping off passengers for the beach and ice cream trucks. Mr. Cabrera suggested prohibiting ice cream trucks from the area. Mr. Groon responded that the matter has been discussed, but there are issues involved with that suggestion. Mr. Cabrera reiterated his statement that he will not hold up the project over this concern.

With regard to Mr. Cabrera’s earlier comment regarding funding, Mr. Groon stated that the governing body must make a final determination on the plan in order to get an idea of the costs involved. He requested the governing body to provide authorization for a cost estimate. The governing body provided the Engineer with direction and authorization to prepare cost estimates based upon the existing plan dated June 20, 2008. Mr. Groon asked how long that will take. The Engineer responded that it will be available before the next meeting.

The Clerk reported that the Engineer had provided information from the New Jersey DEP Environmental Infrastructure Trust Program for potential low interest loan for the Seaview Avenue Phase III reconstruction project. The Engineer indicated that a commitment letter and planning document would be required by October 15, 2008. He added that the planning document, while not overly long, will require substantial work on his part. He indicated that it is a blended program with no and low interest. He stated that a meeting with the state is mandatory prior to the filing of the application in October. He advised that the program will cover any infrastructure project such as storm sewer outfalls, street reconstruction, etc. Mr. Groon suggested that the governing body review the materials provided and make a determination at the next meeting. He added that he would also like to have comments from the CFO at that time.

Going back to the Rambler Road Park Project, Mr. Cabrera asked if the proposed turn-around will be exclusively a turn-around, or would it be a turn-around/drop-off. Mr. Groon responded that it will probably result in being a combination. He added that the Engineer has indicated that there will be more than enough room for someone to park and for someone to turn around.

There being no public comments, and no further matters for discussion, Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the meeting be adjourned.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Dated:        July 23, 2008

Kevin M. Yecco, Borough Clerk