At 9:00 a.m. on April 25 (prior to that day’s City Council meeting), the Administration hosted a Floodplain Management Public Meeting in Council Chambers, where an open discussion took place regarding ways to improve Sea Isle’s Floodplain Management efforts. A variety of topics were discussed during that meeting, including motorists who drive through flooded streets and create wakes that can be harmful to people, vehicles, and private property. City Council is considering creating an Ordinance that would limit vehicles from driving through flooded streets and intersections.
During the “Council Reports” portion of the April 25 City Council Meeting, Sea Isle City Board of Education President Dan Tumolo gave a presentation that outlined the School Board’s 2017-2018 Budget. During the presentation, Mr. Tumolo explained that Sea Isle City currently has 135 students overall (83 of whom attend the Ocean City School District and the remainder attend local Catholic Schools), although next year he anticipates we will have five fewer students. Mr. Tumolo also explained that there will be no school tax increase in the coming year, and that the Board’s Fund Balance “maintains a healthy level for emergency situations.”
There were no Ordinances listed on City Council’s April 25 Meeting Agenda. When it was time to vote on the Resolutions listed on the April 25 Consent Agenda, no one from the audience stepped to the microphone to share thoughts or comments. At that point each of the Resolutions on the Consent Agenda was passed, including…
- Resolution 068, which authorized the Advertisement for Bids for the demolition of the trailers at the former Public School building on Park Road.
- Resolution 071, which authorized the award of contracts for Summer Recreation Programs to provide recreational use for full public purpose.
- Resolution 073, which authorized this year’s Independence Day and New Year’s Eve Fireworks Displays.
- Resolutions 073 and 075, which authorized the Department of Public Works to purchase needed equipment and a new truck.
During the “Pending Business” portion of the April 25 meeting, our conversation about Sidewalk Dining continued, and Council considered several changes to the existing Sidewalk Dining Ordinance. Those changes include extending the hours of operation from for sidewalk dining, which includes serving alcohol and BYOB from 11:00 p.m. to 12 midnight, and whether or not to require restaurants to store their tables and chairs on private property at the end of each night to prevent use and access by the public during non-business hours. Council took “straw votes” on these proposed changes and ultimately asked the Solicitor to write wording that would amend the Sidewalk Dining ordinance.
Following the Sidewalk Dining conversation, City Council discussed the possibility of extending the time that music is permitted at outside bars from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Solicitor will include the amendment in the Ordinance for introduction at the May 20, 2017 meeting.
City Council would like to remind everyone that the Sea Isle City Historical Society will host an Arbor Day Celebration tomorrow, Friday, April 28, at 12 noon in the Historical Museum’s Memorial Garden, located on the grounds of the Sea Isle City Library at 4800 Central Avenue. Also, the Environmental Commission’s Spring Beach Clean-Up (originally scheduled for April 22) was postponed due to rain and will take place this Saturday, April 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Volunteers can sign-up for the Beach Clean-Up on the morning of the event at JFK and the Promenade.
City Council’s next meeting will take place on Community Day, Saturday, May 20, at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. We hope that many people will be able to attend our special Saturday morning meeting and then enjoy the various Community Day activities at the Community Lodge.
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)
