Minutes of Commissioners Meeting   -   June 23, 2010

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, the Herald and The Press on October 23, 2009.

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

THE DEPUTY CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY:

ORDINANCE NO. 1101

AN ORDINANCE AUGMENTING AND AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF WILDWOOD CREST – CHAPTER 85 – ARTICLE II – DEFINITIONS, SECTION 85-11, AND ARTICLE XV – DESIGN STANDARDS FOR SUBDIVISIONS AND SITE PLANS – SECTION 85-097D6 – SIGNS IN BUSINESS AND MARINE COMMERCIAL ZONE, AND SECTION 85-97DE – SIGNS IN MOTEL/MULTI-FAMILY ZONE

Mr. Groon motioned, amended by Mrs. Gould, that Ordinance No. 1101 be passed on first reading, advertised according to law, be brought up for second and final reading and public hearing on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE DEPUTY CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY:

ORDINANCE NO. 1102

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2. OF ORDINANCE NO. 1095 OF THE BOROUGH OF WILDWOOD CREST, COUNTY OF CAPE MAY , NEW JERSEY , ADOPTED MARCH 24, 2010, RE-APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND ($200,000.00) DOLLARS FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING VARIOUS MUNICIPAL PROJECTS AND PURCHASES

Mr. Cabrera motioned, seconded by Mrs. Gould, that Ordinance No. 1102 be passed on first reading, advertised according to law, be brought up for second and final reading and public hearing on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE DEPUTY CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY:

ORDINANCE NO. 1103

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 32A, FEES, SECTION 32A-1, FEES, GENERAL, OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF WILDWOOD CREST, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1048 ADOPTED NOVEMBER 26, 2007 AND ORDINANCE NO. 1090 ADOPTED JANUARY 27, 2010; AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 56, RECREATION COMMISSION, SECTION 56-3, POWERS AND DUTIES, RATES AND FEES SCHEDULE, OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF WILDWOOD CREST, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1069 ADOPTED FEBRUARY 25, 2009 AND ORDINANCE NO. 1090, ADOPTED JANUARY 27, 2010

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that Ordinance No. 1103 be passed on first reading, advertised according to law, be brought up for second and final reading and public hearing on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE DEPUTY CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY:

ORDINANCE NO. 1104

AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 1098 ADOPTED JUNE 9, 2010

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that Ordinance No. 1104 be passed on first reading, advertised according to law, be brought up for second and final reading and public hearing on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE DEPUTY CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 298-10

(Authorizing the Borough to pursue through the County of Cape May a grant in the amount of $443,375 for Traffic signal Repair/Replacement on New Jersey Avenue at the intersections of Aster, Cardinal and Sweetbriar Roads)

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

After the motion and prior to the vote, Mr. Cabrera indicated that he had a question regarding the resolution. He asked for confirmation that this resolution would provide the funding to the Borough to repair the traffic lights on New Jersey Avenue . Mr. Groon responded in the affirmative, indicating that the County of Cape May will be replacing all of the lights. He added that the grant application would be to the USDA by the County of Cape May . Mr. Cabrera inquired as to a timeframe for the work. Mr. Groon responded that he did not have a timeframe for the work.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE DEPUTY CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 299-10

(Authorizing award of a Professional Services Contract to Andrew Cafiero to serve as Public Defendant commencing effective June 30, 2010 and terminating June 30, 2011)

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

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE DEPUTY CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 300-10

(Authorizing amendment of the Borough’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan)

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

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE DEPUTY CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 301-10

(Authorizing advertisement of Notice to Bidders for a 2010 Ford F-351 Pickup)

RESOLUTION NO. 302-10

(Authorizing advertisement of Notice to Bidders for a Combination Sewer Cleaner)

Mr. Cabrera motioned, seconded by Mrs. Gould, that the foregoing Resolutions 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 below, 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, 2010 be accepted as presented and filed.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the minutes of Commission meetings held May 26, June 3, and June 9, 2010 be approved as presented.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

The first matter for discussion was the pending amendment to the Land Use Ordinance. Mr. Groon reported that the Solicitor was in the process of reviewing the amendments recommended by the Planning Board and would require some additional time to finalize the ordinance.

With regard to the Oceanfront Beach Management Plan, the Engineer reported that the public comment time has expired and the Borough is waiting for a response from the State (NJDEP). Mrs. Gould inquired if the Engineer was aware of how many public comments were presented. He responded that he did not have that information.

The Engineer’s update on ongoing infrastructure and recreation improvements was presented to the governing body for their review. Mr. Groon stated that it was his understanding that most of the work would be completed by July 1^st, which is an important date for the work to be finished.

Concerning the Rambler Road Park Project, revised plans were presented to the governing body for their review. Mr. Groon requested a “ballpark” estimate of costs from the Engineer. He responded that the cost estimate was approximately $925,000 for this revised plan. He added that he believed the architect’s cost estimate for the bike rental/bathroom building was too high and would be discussing a revision with him. He added that the cost estimate did not include any renovations to the Nesbitt Center . The governing body reviewed the plans with the Engineer.

Mr. Groon stated that he objected to not dealing with the two vacant lots in some manner. He indicated that not dealing with the appearance and safety issues of those blocks would be a mistake. He agreed with the Engineer’s plan to “grass” the lots in order that they have multiple uses, and asked Commissioners Gould and Cabrera to consider that option. Additionally, he addressed the lighting issue of the bike path, indicating that it is inconsistent in placement and styles. He said he was not requesting funding for the entire bike path, but he was asking the Commissioners to consider whatever lighting is placed at Rambler Road Park be consistent with the bike path. The Engineer inquired if Mr. Groon was looking at Borough-maintained lights or Atlantic City Electric maintained lights. He added that Atlantic City Electric has a limited selection of lights to choose from. Mr. Groon responded that Atlantic City Electric lights would make sense, and added that he would like to look at solar types and would prefer not to move forward with the park plan unless the lighting issue is addressed.

Mrs. Gould stated that she did not object to lighting, but would like overhead lights. She added that she had no objection to solar lights. The Engineer interjected that overhead lights would be less expensive.

Mr. Cabrera stated that when the present lights were installed on the bike path several years ago, they were installed by Atlantic City Electric. The locations were chosen because they were the easiest places for which power could be run. He agreed with Mr. Groon that all lights should match, although he did not think it should be a part of this project to install them to Cresse Avenue . He indicated that the bike path lights should be a project within itself. He added that the bike path itself from Rambler to Cresse is in need of repair. The Engineer stated that a DOT application could be made for improved lighting and repair of the bike path under the Transportation grant program. Mr. Groon concurred.

Mr. Groon reiterated that he was not asking that the lights on the bike path be addressed at this time, but was simply asking that some time be taken to address the lights at Rambler Road so that they are consistent. Mrs. Gould concurred.

Mr. Cabrera stated, with regard to the two vacant lots, that in the original plan it was designed to hydro-seed those lots, and his only objection to that was that those lots are utilized for parking during craft shows and other events. The Engineer stated that cars can be parked on grass areas on a limited basis. Mrs. Gould asked about utilizing those lots for staging for major street construction projects. The Engineer stated that grass would be an issue for staging of construction equipment. Mr. Cabrera stated that another location may be found for staging.

Mr. Cabrera asked if the Borough plants grass on the two lots, would that mean there may never be a parking lot built. Mr. Groon responded that he was not saying that at all; that it was apparent that the Borough cannot build the parking lot in the next several years, and he was suggesting improving the appearance and utilization of the lots on a current basis.

Mrs. Gould inquired as to the cost of hydro-seeding. Mr. Groon responded that the estimate was $50,000, including irrigation. Mrs. Gould asked about irrigation with heavy trucks in the area. Mr. Groon responded that the Borough would not permit the trucks on the lot. The Engineer interjected that the contractor is responsible for staging costs, and it could be added to the contract. Mr. Cabrera inquired if the hydro-seeding could be done in-house. The Public Works Superintendent responded that the equipment would have to be rented. He added that the area would also have to be graded with top soil brought in to replace the present sand.

Mr. Cabrera stated that he did not have a problem with including hydro-seeding at the lots into the bid specifications just to see where the numbers come in. Mrs. Gould concurred. Mr. Groon disagreed.

Mr. Groon suggested, since no firm cost estimates were available and no lighting samples were available, that a special meeting be held to approve having bid specifications developed. The Deputy Clerk reminded the governing body that the time was expiring on the grant funds and that the bidding process would have to commence soon. The Engineer stated that he could have the information available by Monday or Tuesday of the following week. It was decided to have a special meeting on Wednesday morning, June 30^th.

Vickie Clarke and Sarah Freeman of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce appeared to present a Resolution to the governing body commemorating the Borough’s 100 Year Centennial Celebration. Ms. Clarke stated that the Chamber’s relationship with Wildwood Crest goes back to 1916 when Wildwood Crest was one of the original investors in the Seashore Association Chamber of Commerce for the sole purpose of promoting tourism.

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

RESOLUTION NO. 303-10

(Closed Session: potential land acquisition; personnel, specifically to discuss employee benefit and staffing levels)

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

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Dated:        July 21, 2010

Kevin M. Yecco, Borough Clerk