Council has a light agenda today, but there are two resolutions on for approval that I want to mention that are of particular importance. Resolutions 128 and 129 are necessary in order to prepare for an upcoming bond sale. They will provide for the combination of previously authorized funding ordinances and will determine the form and details for a 22 million-dollar bond sale that will take place in October. This bond sale will provide for permanent financing of several of the city’s capital improvements made over the past few years. It is part of our ongoing financial management planning, and will help to ensure the level of debt service consistent with our budget projections. As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, Sea Isle is in excellent financial shape; and while we won’t know our final figures until the end of the year, current tracking of revenues and expenditures points to a solid position for establishing next year’s budget.
I want to mention an outstanding accomplishment by our city clerk’s daughter, Julianna Romano. Jules is one of only fifteen high school students nationwide selected to participate in the Sea Otter Sound Coastal Academy, where she is studying and living for a semester in Naukati Bay, Alaska. She flew out to Alaska in the last week of August, and will explore the coastal ecosystems of Southeast Alaska during her time there, which goes through the first week of November. We are all proud of you, Jules, and look forward to hearing about your adventures when you come home.
Finally, I want to remind everyone that this Friday, September 11, we will hold our annual Patriot Day ceremony at Veterans Park. As everyone knows, this is the 25th anniversary of 9/11. It’s a somber day, but also a day to reflect on how we are united as citizens of this country, and how we will always remember and honor those who lost their lives that day.
As always, please remember, we are one Sea Isle City and together we’ll be stronger than ever.
Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
At the August 25 council meeting, Mayor Desiderio reported on the issue regarding the navigability of Townsends Inlet. The administration has communicated with the State and the Army Corps of Engineers, and both agencies are reviewing this matter. A future solution could involve a joint effort between the federal, state, and local governments; and the administration will keep us updated with the ongoing review.
The mayor also announced that the police department has received formal certification of their accreditation by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. The department was initially accredited in 2014, and this is the 5th time they’ve achieved accredited status. Accreditation recognizes that the police department meets the best practices in police operations, including 128 written standards covering officer safety, equipment requirements, operational guidelines, accountability, and community engagement.
The mayor also appointed Lewis D’Agostino as honorary mayor of the day. Lewis is a 13 year-old who the mayor met during the Antique Auto Show during Skimmer weekend, when he was with his father and grandfather displaying a 1947 Empire tractor. The mayor was so impressed with Lewis that he told him he wanted to make him mayor for the day. Lewis gave a nice speech at the council meeting, praising the city and thanking the mayor for keeping his promise to make him mayor for the day!
Council President Jargowsky reported that the city continues to investigate the placement of shade structures for city playgrounds and is working with a playground company to obtain information and pricing on this.
Each of the resolutions on the consent agenda were approved, including…
• Resolution 120, which authorized the approval of vouchers.
• Resolution 121, which authorized the award of a recreation contract for soccer and volleyball programs.
• Resolution 122, which authorized a property tax refund for a disabled veteran.
• Resolution 123, which authorized the termination of an easement over private property (for a stormwater pipe which will now be placed within the city right of way). There is no cost to the city for this.
• Resolution 124, which canceled taxes on property in the wetlands donated to the city.
• Resolution 125, which authorized the refund of a vendor registration fee for Fall Family Festival.
• Resolution 126, which authorized the release of a performance guarantee for a private property project.
During the “Citizen Comment” portion of the meeting, concerns were raised about painting of the pavilion on the promenade and painting of the water tower at 40th Street and Central Avenue. In addition, the city was asked to address dogs on the beach in Townsends Inlet and overnight parking at the Townsends Inlet parking lot.
Our next City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 8, at 10:00 AM on the third floor of City Hall – and we hope to see you there!
Council President Michael Jargowski
Ian Ciseck
Frank Edwardi
William Kehner
Mary Tighe
