Minutes of Special Commissioners Meeting   -   September 26, 2007

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 9, 2006.

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

Mr. Groon motioned, seconded by Mrs. Gould, that Ordinance No. 1045 be placed on second reading and final passage by title only.

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY:

ORDINANCE NO. 1045

A CAPITAL ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SANITARY SEWER MAIN ON LAVENDER ROAD FROM PACIFIC AVENUE TO SEAVIEW AVENUE AND APPROPRIATING THEREFOR THE AMOUNT OF $35,000 FROM GENERAL CAPITAL FUND BALANCE

Mr. Groon motioned, seconded by Mrs. Gould, that a public hearing be held on Ordinance No. 1045.

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

There being no public comments, Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the public hearing on Ordinance No. 1045 be closed.

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Mr. Groon motioned, seconded by Mrs. Gould, that Ordinance No. 1045 be passed on second and final reading and advertised according to law.

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 618-07

(Authorizing re-advertisement of Notice to Bidders for Street and Utility Reconstruction of Seaview Avenue, Phase 1)

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. 619-07

(Authorizing refund in the amount of $768.85 for tax overpayment to James and Lizanne Malinowski)

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. 620-07

(Authorizing submission of application for DCA grant to pursue $400,000 to improve handicapped access and facilities at Rambler Road Park Project)

Prior to motion and vote, Mrs. Gould asked for confirmation that the grant would be $400,000. Mr. Groon responded that the eligibility is $400,000. Mrs. Gould then inquired if the project will be a “go” if the Borough receives only $50,000 or $150,000, and asked if the Borough will be committed to underwrite the cost of the project if the entire $400,000 is not received. Mr. Groon responded that he was not prepared to provide a definitive amount. He added that he would like to apply for additional grants for the project since it was his opinion that there are other grants available. Mrs. Gould again asked if the Borough will do the project “regardless of the cost.” Mr. Groon stated his opinion that the project is important and the Borough should do it. Mrs. Gould inquired if the design was secondary, or if the design was primary. Mr. Groon stated that he was committed to “making some changes as we go along” and the plan presented was not the final plan, but, rather, could evolve. It was also Mr. Groon’s understanding that an evolving plan would not preclude the Borough from making application. He added that the Borough has received some indication that the County would be supportive of grants in other areas because of the program with the Beach Patrol. Mr. Cabrera interjected that the $400,000 was the maximum of the grant, and the deadline for submission of an application was the first week in October 2007. The announcement for the award would be sometime in February or March 2008. He added that the Borough would wait to see how much would be derived from the DCA grant which would help the Borough understand the scope of the project. Mrs. Gould stated that she was not opposed to the handicapped parking and facilities, but she did object to the overall number of parking spaces. She also objected to the “rush” to get the application in to the DCA. Mr. Groon stated that he did not think there was any final determination of how many handicapped parking spaces will be included, but the plan presented was only a rough concept. Mrs. Gould stated that if the amount for the project is more than what the Borough receives in the grant, the Borough will have to bond the additional funds. Mr. Groon responded that it was his opinion that the project will be “significantly more than $400,000” and that is the purpose of phasing the project. Mr. Cabrera interjected that the ADA portion of the grant is the parking, bathrooms and potentially the playground area.

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

Vote:           Gould- No                                                Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 621-07

(Authorizing re-advertisement of Notice to Bidders for Rehabilitation of Heather Road fishing Pier, Phase 1)

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

Vote:           Gould-No                                                 Cabrera-Groon-Yes

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

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Groon, that all reports received, from the Court Administrator, CFO, Tax Collector and Chief of Police, for the month ending August 31, 2007, be accepted as presented and filed.

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that minutes of meetings held august 29, September 17, the Special Meeting of September 12, and the closed session of August 29, 2007 , be approved as presented.

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

As to ongoing borough business, the Clerk/Administrator reported that the Seaview Avenue moratorium and streetscape matter was tied to the Rambler Road project and will be held for future discussion. He added that the Solicitor was working on the ordinance requiring designation of the condominium association representative for service of notices by the Borough. With regard to the DEP Recycling/Solid Waste Management Plan Requirements, the Clerk reported that a package was supplied to each of the Commissioners and the Solicitor for review, and asked if the Commissioner of Public Works wished to follow through in his own Department with the assistance of the Engineer, or in some other manner, to bring the Borough into compliance based upon the requirement to adopt the draft ordinance supplied with the package. Mr. Cabrera responded that he was still reviewing the package received from the Clerk.

Mr. Pattitucci of Atlantic Avenue commented on the plan for Rambler Road , and asked if the area at Myrtle Road was designed as beach access. Mr. Cabrera responded in the affirmative.

Laurie Stambaugh commented on the Rambler Road project, and asked why there was a need for the extensive parking in a concentrated area. She added that the “massive number of cars will totally destroy” the last piece of natural land in the Borough. Mr. Groon responded that the parking plan has been reduced in the latest revision to the plan. He added that it would be his intent to “take a stronger look at the landscaping” but that that would be the next phase of the project. He added that it was his opinion that there is a need for handicapped parking and other handicapped amenities. Mr. Groon went on to explain that the Borough provides transportation onto the beach for handicapped persons through the Beach Patrol. He added that the service has become very popular, and it will not be possible for the Borough to continue to provide the service if it is not concentrated at one location; that the transmittal of handicapped persons to the beach was one of the purposes of the handicapped parking at the Rambler Road location. The Mayor continued by saying that it will also provide “support” for the park that is north of this location. Ms. Stambaugh reiterated her earlier statement that the motels in the area have not experienced any parking problems, and questioned again why the proposed number of parking spaces are required. Mr. Groon disagreed with Ms. Stambaugh’s statements, and added that the application must be submitted at this time, and revisions can be made at a later time. Mr. Groon added that as Rambler Road is presently configured, it is hazardous to the bike and pedestrian traffic on the bike path since vehicles must cross the bike path to reach some of the parking on that street. Those parking spaces will be removed under the revised plan. Ms. Stambaugh presented the Commissioners with a proposed plan of her design which locates that parking along the bike path. Mr. Groon stated that he was not comfortable with placing parking around the bike path and the playground. Ms. Stambaugh urged that the Borough should have conducted a “feasibility study” and inquired if substantial changes can be made to the plan after its submission? The Engineer responded that it was his opinion that it could, as long as the handicapped parking was retained.

Mr. Cabrera interjected that design is the key to the plan, and if grass and plantings are incorporated it should be acceptable. He added that no one wants an all asphalt area. He agreed with the concept of a parking lot for the area since the City of Wildwood has public parking lots and Wildwood Crest has none. He disagreed with Ms. Stambaugh that parking is not a problem, and added that it was a subjective assessment. Mr. Cabrera went on to state that the Borough has received funding for prior projects from the same funding source, and the outlook is good that the Borough will be successful once again.

Nancy Pietropaoli stated that she agreed with Mr. Groon in his assessment of the hazardous situation on Rambler Road and added that additional parking is needed. As a taxpayer, however, she disagreed with the “last minute” grant application, stating “I just don’t think we can govern that way.” She inquired if the Borough will “spend money we don’t have” if the project comes in at a higher cost than anticipated. Mr. Cabrera responded “no” because the project can be phased and we will only do the portion of the project that would be covered by the funding. Mr. Groon interjected that he did not disagree with Ms. Pietropaoli’s comment about rushing the application process.

Dorothy Quill agreed with the concept of the handicapped parking, but did not agree with the additional parking. She was concerned about “daytrippers” and the impact on the Borough.

Mr. Groon stated that Wildwood Crest was “started by daytrippers.”

Mr. Pattitucci commented that he has seen a lot of change over the years, and agreed with Ms. Quill’s assessment of “daytrippers.” Mr. Pattitucci also inquired about the craft shows and whether they would still be at that location. Mr. Groon responded that they would remain.

Joe Rymer stated that he was trying to understand the long-term economics of the plan, adding “if you build it they will come.” He questioned how the Borough will make sure that people are not sleeping in their cars, etc. Mr. Groon responded that the Borough will treat it the same as all other amenities in Wildwood Crest, and the police department will be charged to see that the laws are enforced.

Ms. Stambaugh stated that this is an opportunity for the Borough to make this an attractive area for people to come, and not a place to park. She inquired if any other options of how this property can be utilized had been explored, such as events that would generate more money than a parking lot. Mr. Groon responded that he has been approached by people and asked why the Borough does not sell the land since it is worth $10 to $15 million. He indicated that he supports keeping the area open space.

There being no further public comments, THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 622-07

(Closed session – Personnel Matters)

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

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Upon returning from closed session, there being no further matters for discussion, Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Groon, that the meeting be adjourned.

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Dated:         October 24, 2007

Kevin M. Yecco, Borough Clerk