On today’s council agenda are resolutions that will authorize the city to terminate participation in the New Jersey State Health Benefit Program and enter into a contract for healthcare benefits directly with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
The administration is recommending this change due to the proposed 17 % increase in State Health Benefits premiums. Under the state program, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield was the insurance carrier, so there will be no change in that regard, which will make this a much more seamless move for our employees.
The premium rates we were able to secure directly from Horizon Blue Cross will increase from the current plan by about one half of one percent. The human resources office is working to ensure that all our employees and retirees are provided with the necessary information.
I want to give a brief update on some projects taking place this fall through to next spring.
Work is scheduled to begin this week on construction of the 75th St. bulkhead on the bay side. This work will include installation of 85 feet of new vinyl bulkhead along the street end; and associated road reconstruction at that street end.
Road construction will take place this fall into next spring on 38th Street between Landis and Central Avenue. This work will address the chronic problems on the street with groundwater infiltration and the resulting nuisance flooding. The same contractor will also be repaving 58th Street from Landis to Central; 59th Street from Central to Sounds; and Sounds Avenue from 59th Street to the fishing pier and kayak launch area.
We're currently out to bid now for road reconstruction of Cini Avenue from JFK to 36th St. That work is expected to be done between this winter and next spring. This project is partially funded by state aid from the NJDOT.
On December 10, the administration is scheduled to review the draft 5-year capital plan for 2025 through 2029 at a public workshop, so we look forward to discussing any ideas council may have on future projects as well as reviewing the status of projects that are already in the planning stages.
As always, please remember that we are one Sea Isle City and together we’ll be stronger than ever.
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
As was the case during our recent meetings, no ordinances were introduced or adopted during the September 24 City Council meeting. However, each of the resolutions on the September 24 Consent Agenda was approved, including…
• Resolution 154, which adopted and authorized the State’s new Open Public Records Request Form, pursuant to N.J.S.A.47-1A-5(f). Moving forward, the new form will be used by those seeking public documents via the New Jersey Open Public Records Act.
• Resolution 156, which recognizes October 6 as “Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day” in New Jersey. City Council reminds all residents and property owners of the dangerous role opioids play in our society, and we ask everyone to rid your homes of unneeded dangerous medications by depositing them in the Sea Isle City Police Department’s “Medicine Drop Box” at City Hall. For more information about the drop box, please see the special section in the October 3 E-Newsletter.
• Resolution 157, which requested the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to construct a Four-Way Interchange on the Garden State Parkway at Sea Isle Boulevard / Mile Marker 17. Currently, the Parkway only has one exit for Sea Isle City and Ocean View (southbound) and only one entrance (northbound). The members of City Council strongly urge the Turnpike Authority to consider the benefits of creating the four-way interchange – the most important of which is increasing traffic safety.
• Resolution 158, which authorized a contract in the amount of $22,000 with Devine Brothers, of King of Prussia, PA, for HVAC Preventative Maintenance at City Hall.
• Resolution 159, which authorized a contract with Lucia Marone, of Vineland, NJ, for a Fall Children’s Music Program titled “Music Together” (with the City receiving 15% of the registration fees).
The next City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 8, at 10:00 AM on the third floor of City Hall – and we hope to see you there!
Best regards from the members of City Council,
Council President William Kehner
Frank Edwardi
J.B. Feeley
Jack Gibson
Mary Tighe
