During the August 29 City Council meeting, Business Administrator George Savastano reported that the South Jersey Gas Company will soon begin the first phase of a gas line improvement project in Sea Isle City. Phase One of this project, which will include Pleasure Avenue from 69th to 79th Street as well as Landis Avenue to Pleasure Avenue from 69th to 79th Street, will begin after September 17 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. The overall project (the schedule of which has not yet been determined) will ultimately result in the replacement of all gas lines in Sea Isle’s south-end. More information about this infrastructure improvement effort will be included in the “Project Updates” section of this newsletter and on the City’s municipal website, www.seaislecitynj.us.
The Business Administrator also reported that Cape May County is considering installing “rumble strips” on the center traffic line along Landis Avenue from 1st through 22nd Street. If this project takes place, the County will use federal funds to pay for the installation of the rumble strips. Additionally, Mr. Savastano gave City Council an update on this year’s Beach Tag sales, which have reached $1,358,630 as of August 27. This amount is approximately $38,000 less than the same time in 2016, but it is still higher than the anticipated revenue for 2017 beach tag sales.
Ordinance 1612 was introduced and had first reading on August 29. This ordinance was written to revise Sea Isle’s general ordinance, entitled “Flood Damage Prevention,” which pertains to adopting revised standards and regulations, definitions and flood maps.
Each of the resolutions on the August 29 Consent Agenda were approved, including Resolutions 148 and 149, which authorized the purchase of two Public Works vehicles. The funding for both vehicles was included in the City’s Capital Planning Process.
During the “Pending Business” portion of the August 29 meeting, a discussion took place regarding a possible future ordinance that would prohibit the intentional release of balloons and sky lanterns in Sea Isle City (similar to what other municipalities across the State have already done). The emphasis of this ordinance would focus more on education than penalty; and it would spotlight how harmful releasing balloons and lanterns can be – especially for local aquatic life.
During the “New Business” portion of the August 29 meeting, it was announced that the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Mayor Desiderio, Sea Isle City’s Municipal Alliance Committee, and Sea Isle’s Police Department will host a special event called Hidden in Plain Sight on Thursday, October 12, at 6:00 p.m. in the former Public School on Park Road. During this free, interactive workshop, parents, grandparents and other concerned adults will get a closer look at the latest substance abuse trends & hiding spots – and they will learn specifically what to look for in their own homes. As our nation faces an opiate epidemic like we’ve never seen before, and families from all walks of life are experiencing overdose deaths at an alarming rate, City Council commends those who are organizing this worthwhile presentation and those who plan to attend it. For more information about Hidden in Plain Sight, please contact Sea Isle City Municipal Alliance Coordinator Kellie Seib at 609-263-4461 ext. 1222.
Also during “New Business” on August 29, Council President Tighe announced that City Council will soon begin discussing ways to address problems with certain beach activities in Sea Isle City, such as erecting tents, smoking and digging deep holes.
Our next City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 12, at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. We hope to see you there!
Best regards from the Members of City Council,
Council President Mary Tighe (mtighe@seaislecitynj.us)
Frank Edwardi (fedwardijr@seaislecitynj.us)
J.B. Feeley (jbfeeley@seaislecitynj.us)
Jack Gibson (jgibson@seaislecitynj.us)
Bill Kehner (wkehner@seaislecitynj.us)
