During the April 11 City Council meeting, four Ordinances were adopted, including Ordinances 1601 and 1602, both of which will put the City in compliance with its current Watershed Management Plan, which was developed in 2016. The changes created by Ordinances 1601 and 1602 were recommended by FEMA after their review of our Watershed Management Plan. Ordinances 1607 and 1608 were also adopted on April 11, both of which will allow the City to create a paid Ambulance Division.
Each of the Resolutions on the April 11 Consent Agenda was adopted, including Resolution 061, which authorized the award of contract for $37,000 to Transformation Enterprises, Inc, for the demolition of the former Fire House on West Jersey Avenue; and Resolution 062, which authorized City Council to hold a Closed Session to discuss pending litigation regarding 8600 Landis Avenue LLC vs. the City of Sea Isle City in U.S. District Court.
During the “New Business” portion of the April 11 meeting, there was a discussion regarding New Jersey State Bill SCR-120/ACR-202, which would allow homeowners (age 65 and older) to freeze the Property Taxes on their primary residences. City Council voted to pass a Resolution opposing this State Statute because there presently is legislation in place that allows people age 65 and older (on a limited income) to freeze their property taxes at the rate obtained at the time of their application. Additionally, the proposed legislation does not provide Municipalities with any reimbursement in the form of State Aid or any other State programs for the loss of those taxes – and Municipalities would still be responsible for 100% of the charges assessed by the County and the local School Board.
During the “Pending Business” portion of the April 11 meeting, a discussion took place regarding the results of the recent informal study conducted by Councilman Divney and Councilwoman Tighe regarding Sidewalk Dining in Sea Isle City. City Council will further deliberate the changes that were suggested following that informal study, which include extending the hours that Sidewalk Dining is permitted, allowing restaurants to leave their outdoor tables and chairs in place overnight, allowing fixed structures to be built over sidewalk dining areas, and allowing bands to perform at outside bars until 10:00 p.m. (rather than 9:00 p.m.). In the meantime, Council has asked the City Solicitor to draft language that could be used if the Sidewalk Dining Ordinance is to be changed.
Our next City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 25 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. –We hope to see you there!
Best regards from the members of City Council,
Council President Bill Kehner (wkehner@seaislecitynj.us)
John Divney (jdivney@seaislecitynj.us)
Frank Edwardi (fedwardijr@seaislecitynj.us)
Jack Gibson (jgibson@seaislecitynj.us)
Mary Tighe (mtighe@seaislecitynj.us)
