Minutes of Commissioners Meeting   -   January 28, 2009

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.

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that Ordinance No. 1067 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. 1067

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 59‑3 OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH

OF WILDWOOD CREST, KNOWN AS THE “SALARY ORDINANCE", FIXING AND

DETERMINING SALARIES AND COMPENSATIONS OF THE BOROUGH OF WILDWOOD

CREST, IN THE COUNTY OF CAPE MAY , NEW JERSEY , PROVIDING FOR THE

RAISING OF THE AMOUNTS THEREOF BY TAXATION AND FOR THE TIME AND

METHOD OF PAYMENT

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that a public hearing be held on Ordinance No. 1067.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

There being no public comments, Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the public hearing on Ordinance No. 1067 be closed.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that Ordinance No. 1067 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. 914-09

(Authorizing Notice to Bidders for Hollywood Avenue Storm Sewer Replacement, between Seaview Avenue and the beach)

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. 915-09

(Authorizing special events permit to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for the purpose of holding a bike tour on May 17, 2009 from Cresse Avenue to Rambler Road )

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. 916-09

(Authorizing award of contract to Cape Professional Billing for Emergency Medical Billing services)

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. 917-09

(Authorizing approval for and execution of the ACMJIF Safety Contract)

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. 918-09

(Authorizing appointment of Joseph Vallese to the Zoning Board of Adjustment as Alternate No. 2, replacing Dennis Travascio, for a term commencing effective immediately and expiring December 31, 2010)

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

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Mr. Cabrera motioned, seconded by Mrs. Gould, that all bills properly authorized, as submitted and which , 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 December 31, 2008 be accepted as presented and filed.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the minutes of meetings held December 29, 2008 and January 14, 2009, as well as the closed sessions held on both dates, be approved as presented.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

With regard to the Rambler Road Park Project, the Clerk reported that the Borough had not yet received confirmation from the State as to the award of the grants.

The Clerk reported that he was still awaiting input from each of the Commissioners with regard to the Fishing Pier concession rental.

Concerning the New Jersey Environmental Trust Project, the Clerk reported that he had received information from the New Jersey State League of Municipalities that funds would not be forthcoming to the individual municipalities, but, rather, the State would be receiving those funds, and many of the projects to be undertaken will be as designated by the Governor.

Mr. Groon stated that he would like to discuss the records storage issues. He indicated that the Borough had several options available, such as the old public safety maintenance building behind Borough Hall, or expanding the second floor of Borough Hall. He opined that to utilize the public safety building would not be a viable long term option since that land may be required for future expansion.  He said that the most viable option may well be expansion of the second floor of Borough Hall. However, more information and details would be required, and he suggested turning the matter over to Mr. Cabrera and his Carpentry Supervisor to determine the best approach. The Clerk reported that a representative of PEOSH indicated that the police department storage area was not adequate and that some immediate renovations may be required to make the area code compliant. Mr. Groon suggested also creating additional office space along with the expansion of the second floor. Mr. Cabrera inquired if the goal was to create additional storage area and some new office space. Mr. Groon responded that that was his opinion. Mr. Cabrera stated that expanding the second floor on the ocean side would be expensive because the air conditioning units are located on that roof.

Returning to the matter of the New Jersey Environmental Trust Project, Mr. Cabrera stated that he was not sure the information provided by the League of Municipalities was correct. It was his understanding that the funds were to come from the federal government to the State, and the State would administer the funds and distribute them to the municipalities. The Clerk stated that the indication he received was that the funds would be going directly to the State, but that those funds would not be distributed to the municipalities but rather would remain with the State for use on state road reconstruction projects.   Mr. Groon said that in light of those developments, the governing body should be formulating a contingency plan in the event funds are not forthcoming from the State, in order that some number can be provided to the CFO for the capital budget. The Clerk added that the CFO was requesting input in that regard on or before February 12, 2009.

With regard to the UEZ budget funding, the Clerk indicated that Commissioner Cabrera had submitted a detailed memo on the Borough’s obligation from a funding standpoint. Mr. Cabrera’s initial advice to the CFO was that $3,000 would be needed, but it now appears that the number may have to be $12,000.  The Clerk inquired if the governing body wished to further discuss the matter or if Mr. Cabrera had any additional input.   Mr. Cabrera stated that the State is planning to increase the administrative revenue stream to permit the UEZ to increase the percentage of revenues collected on the sales tax. In the meantime, in order to keep the UEZ operational, the Borough will be required to contribute additional funds. He also asked for an opinion from the Solicitor as to whether any of the TDC funds could be utilized to pay that additional fee.

The next matter for discussion was dedication of public parks by naming them prior to the Borough’s Centennial. The Clerk indicated that he had provided the Commissioners with a printout from the Tax Assessor of all Borough-owned parks. Mr. Groon stated that it had been decided to come up with some ideas, and to have Mrs. Gould coordinate that matter. Mrs. Gould reported that the first Centennial committee meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, February 4, 2009. Mr. Groon indicated that he had some ideas he would provide to Mrs. Gould’s Committee. Mr. Cabrera indicated he also had some ideas he would share as well.

Concerning  charging mercantile licensing fees for communications towers on private property, Mr. Groon stated that land use applications have been received for such a tower and that the planning board would be meeting to discuss the matter in greater detail..

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

RESOLUTION NO. 919-09

(Closed session – negotiations, specifically for discussion of successor COWCO Agreement; and personnel, to discuss employee benefit levels)

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, 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. Cabrera, that the meeting be adjourned.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Dated:        February 25, 2009

Kevin M. Yecco, Borough Clerk