City of Asbury Park Council Mtg March 16, 2011
Welcome to Asbury Radio's Reporter's Notebook
Swan Boats Return to Wesley Lake
Asbury Park Considers Exceeding 2% Cap
Tentative Budget Prior to State Aid Requires 101% Tax Rise
Reidy Vows Transitional Aid Will Lower Need to Hike Taxes
But Cap Rise Above State Mandated 2% Still On Table
Attending:
Councilmembers Kevin Sanders, Sue Henderson, Deputy Mayor John Loffredo, Mayor Ed Johnson, – Councilmember James Bruno absent – Deputy Clerk Kiki Tomek for Clerk Steve Kay
Workshop –
Start
Don Sammet, Director of Redevelopment and Planning - \resolution 2011 menu items:
Confirming items you wanted and last min suggestion/ repair of ramp leads up to bdwk at 6th, construction of roll mats at each access for wheelchrs/ message boards, w/ come bk to. Jst com out of engineering install of railing at new ramp eastern side of boardwalk, estimates $10k to 15k$ between 6th and 7th, closer to Asbury Tower/
For record Madison marquette’s objections/ not quality as capital improvement/
Ej – what’s concern
DS – mobile sign is not a capital project/ cd be placed elsewhere not in WRA/ cd be used for traffic / think it’s realistice that if emerg elsewhere in city cd be moved for that.
Other item/ heads up for u at this pt/ cls to summer season, need redopt bdwk vending ord sunset on it/ needs to be app’d again/
Ej – how do we enforce this/ vending on the bdwlk/ we hv musicians, guitar cases set up/ blanket jewelry, we have (inaudible) don’t wnt to chase people away/
DS- req’d to get vending permit fr city clk or don’t belong out there/ imagine As Prtners has right to vending permits on bdwlk / imagine Partners play a strong role, they’ll probably go after anyone not allowed out there/
EJ – something about bkstage pass
DS – analogy to a fishing license/ when buy hv to provide own sleeve for display
Will bring up next mtg
Fred Raffetto – first item/ pedal boats on Wesley lake/ city sought RFPs, oper concession on lake/ not nec on competitive bidding basis, but contractor best suited, one bidder, AP pedal boats out of Toms River/ $600 a yr with future options to share revenue. 2 people ½ hr $18/ 3 persons $20, 4 persons $22/ staff 2 – 3 wkrs at all time size of boats 8' x 5'/ 6 to 8 boats, 3 person capacity/ letters of recommendation Linda Occhipintic and Joseph Gambarony, of Toms River, 732-684-2944 …principals of business/ mtg in Neptune already held/ they've made substantial capital outlay:
Avail mid to late may, boats run thru October
Council - Perhaps offer discounts for AP kids grps/ senior discount??
SH – lk forward to swans…
Kevin Sanders – senior citizen and chilren’s group discount amenable to?
Boat people – yes
James Famularo –
Championship …inaudible…state playoffs in basketball/ Dayton h.s. Springfield NJ / tonite we play Plfld HS in Toms River/ we see results on court, support we give…
FR – alcohol license fee increase He passes out info to council and CM Terry Reidy/ old code was outdated/ two types consumptiona dn distribution/ consumption $239/ Dis $739 – lst incrs 2008/ 250 is min/ 20% incrs wd be 448., wd go above $2500 cap. Dist can go up 358 more / cd go over $2k/ ??? Rapid fire speech…
EJ – do we need to take it…
FR – policy decision/
EJ – thnk shd be a rise but not go to max/ times are hard everyone struggling
FR – june deadline when they come due. Wd req to mtgs to pass ordinance
Gen’l mercantile license, construction dept req identification from mercantile / form not in accordance w/ code/ hardship to businesses/ shd throw out ord if you’re in agreement, for upgrade
Garrett Giberson – beach closing schedules / GG is passing them out to council and CM/
GG is retired head of DPW. He is now in chg of beach responsibilities. Beach clothing, closing schedule/ weather permitting…fee increases for beach badges, recommending $1, now $5, weekends wd be $6/ other communities are listed on handouts. We’re still w/in the low fees. Look at Allenhurst, Belmar, deal/ fees all over/ increase $5 to $20 and $65 to…inaudible
EJ – anything we can do for AP…raise wd be for non AP residents/ if wanted to hold at $65 for residents
FR – think there’s been problems in past where it’s been done/
GG – commenting…inaudible…
EJ – is winter sale over?
GG – Easter, actually first wk of May, something about 2nd Ave bdwlk…inaudible
New amenities, storage lockers, 9 units $2k, if rent $150 a wk/ $3500 profit…inaudible…can bring chr down…lock it/ respons for own lock…patterned on Belmar gets $75?
JL – where is town of Love Ladies?
TR – Ocean County, fiff parts of Long Beach Island sprinkled…
GG – something about a badge u can change for another badge? $1200…????...promote APk…specific code on it…can’t hear
EJ – hv we inquired other towns…inaudible
GG – inaudible…we hv super beach…
Tom Gilmour – commerce dir. Some exchanges with council inaudible
EJ - Special events fundraiser, relief effort for Japan who suffered terrible tragedy over past days and weeks, compares to our snow how we felt/ earthquake, tsumani and now meltdown threat/ fam and frinds Monmouth county/ help we can provide our friends and neighbors.
TG – Taka Rest spec march 27th event in planning stages, clos mattison bet bond and emory, erect tent, serve food noon to 6, lite fair, all money go toward relief effort, plus donations. Teamed up w/ red cross and w/ be others partnering/ he reads from taka statement, bamboo tree…ask everyone who comes fill out tags and put on tree/ trad’ly japan do same and send bk to us/ ask permission to cls st…app’l keep garage open/
EJ – express concerns w/ Taka other day, he shared that individuals in community first to reach out were from Haitian community/ members of our Haitian comm. still rebldgin suffering to reach outside themselves to our jap friends, allies and neighbors is jst tremendous.
Chief Kinmon – handicapped pkg space 1507 ? Street, at intersection Bangs and Dewitt
EJ – about 12 children from the Boys n Girls Club – he call sthem up to dais/ to introduce themselves / ej reads from proclamation: 25 B & G’s clubs in NJ/ March 20 – 26 Bys and Girls Club week in city of Asbury Park. Hope all citizens w/ join us in honoring and supporting our young people
Matters from Council
SH – soon sign on main st w/ say dog licensing, free rabies clinic at Fire house/ be remiss if didn’t congratulate Wesley lake comm. for dredging lake/ import roles by Neptune and AP, espec PWs, 50 yrs of silt, put in Neptune/ mosquito comm.. Vicki Thompson corrodianted, peter Avakian engineer/ tee lesinski, kerry butch, garrett giberson, James Henry…got done quickly/ lake much cleaner, and very happy swan boats w/ be on there now/ priviledged to attend ribbon cutting at Smithsonian event/ frank d’alessandro asked her to announce…ever since brian grant been in city hall and espec dpw we appreciate all he’s done pleasure to wk w/ pwks The full text from D'Alessandro:
March 14, 2011
Mr. Brian Grant, City Engineer
and Supervisor of the Dept. Of Public Works,
City of Asbury Park
Dear Mr. Grant:
On behalf of the trustees of the Asbury Park Public Library and Mr. Robert Stewart, our Library Director, I want to thank you sincerely for the excellent and expert help that you and your staff have provided to us in assisting us in preparing for the Smithsonian music exhibit. Your help with the access ramp and various other projects has been invaluable. Patty, our own “secret weapon” when it comes to maintaining our beautiful and historic 130 year old building, has let us know about the assistance you and your staff have provided. Patty has been tireless in her Herculean efforts over the years, and I know she as well as the Library Director and all of our staff members are grateful to you. Your support and that of the Mayor have been very gratifying to us in these difficult times. Thank you, again!
Frank D'Alessandro,
for the Trustees
EJ – open house in council chambers March 24 – 5 – 7 pmFair Housing
AP fishing club, james bruno’s efforts to help and showcase AP, more names to be recognized, more than 100 members of club volunteered their time/ $3000 to 4th of july parade, $200 pop warner/ $200 AP fire Dept for Jason Fazio ( there are other monetary awards not listed here) see Smithsonian event at AP Library/ Sunday evening event was great as well, mk sure you see it/ every vein of musicical grps/ remember to buy beach badges
FR – fr executive session – or auth city council enter into agreement with financial grp ABB …re Griffin Bldg, Griffin’s Financial Modification Agreement
PUBLIC PORTION –
3 MINS 1 TIME
Vernice McGriff –
Considering going above tax cap? I’ve a prob if we’re putting it on the bd of ed/
TR – explain that this yr for first time gov Christie new mech 1/ a 2% cap on al lmuni budgets/ if muni wnts to exceed hav to hold referendum vote up or down whether to exceed/ state said it wd be on same day as bd of ed/
VmcG – problem w/ that I wk the board/ we hv lowest turnout for bd of ed/ not representative of the tax paying public. Not saying don’t do it, but if do not on this voting day/
TR – if council decidees to do the only day we can is on that date/
Kerry turner – Madison Marquette / beach badges, spec the lockers/ how esthetics and placement w/ be done/ wnt put on record some concern, what lk like, people dining/ the view, etc/
TR – at least prelim design addressed that very issue/ no one wants something impede anyone’s views. Suggestion was wd be below that line
Mollar – professional magician – trying to talk to anyone to re. licensing to be done/ he’s a busker/
EJ – imagine jst like other performers
MM – I was told you’d never require permit to perform on bdwlk
Police gave me a ticket for panhandling/ I perform my show w/ hat and tip bucket/ do my whole show for kerry turner and she was very pleased/
EJ – why can’t this gentlman get an ans.
TR – this wd fall w/in city and Madison Marquette/ don sammet must have something on this/
EJ – pls lv name and phone number
TR – and if u cd mk the deficit go away
MM – I’m a magician not a miracle worker
Rita marano – 8th av
Terry asked you for number we spent on lawsuit, 6 attys.
TR – asked before and told there are two/
RM – I can name them, Fred, Shapeiro, Aaron…someone else.
TR – we don’t hv the bills in yet
FR – I can say I didn’t charge for my time. I was there to observe the proceedings but didn’t charge the city.
RM – wording for the ballot, how get ready
TR - Transitional aid applic to DCA today in Trenton, still some concerns in filling out, but language is provided by state for the referendum. So that’s std.
RM – Howell, Wall, Spring Lake, Bradley Beach not doing it and I think we shd follow our neighbors and not exceed the cap.
Todd Bergman – 4th Ave/ traffic lites on Kingsley Ave/ Jersey Shore Mission is a done deal/ forced on us/ wd like city to make arrangements for people after the 7 days are up for how they’re going to be treated/ can we require anyone who provides over night and ord to provide some kind of daytime program so they won’t be forced to be on the street during the day.
How can we allow anybody to be on the street w/ no access to water or sanitary services.
FR – we can only address future…not mission since already been thru app’l process, so can’t put those regs on them.
TB – broadly applied not spec to mission ordinance to my mind
FR – Given fact appr’l thru ZBA, nothing we can do to regulate them. I know nothing to internal operations. But to hv people out on street 11 hrs, no plc to get warm.
Werner Baumgartner – 402 5th Ave/ recent press status of redev statute prompted me to attend/ I’ve seen 6 councils come and go and ½ doz city mgrs, 4 redev plans come and gone and all failed/ seems to hav missed in process is supposed tolearn from experience/ I’ve attended meetings, acquired wealth of knowledge about what has and hasn’t wked; yet city hasn’t any interest in letting me share my knowledge of this City of historic theory, my engineering backgrd, so I stand before you again, somewhat humbled by the treatment I've been given in the past offer my servcs again to the council/[Baumgartner was the victim of an anonymous 911 call that there was a dead body in his basement. Police and fire officials responded and gained access to his house due to the call. Baumgartner ended up with numerous home maintenance code violations, which eventually ended up with court ordered incarcerations of weeks and over a month in another sentencing - all pertaining to the maintenance of his own home.] I don’t know anyone else who was certified by state to be this city's historian/ Here he listed other qualifications. He ended by explaining that his love for the City was the only reason that he's offering again his expertise.
Pedal boats - concerned about that strip of Wesley Lake gravel/ don’g see how can happen w/ out paving or sidewalk/
Placque Arthur Pryor – 3 x 4 foot bronze placque put there by the public and it’s vanished, wd like to see it retrieved and replaced there as part of Smithsonian event/
EJ – thank you next pls. [Asbury Radio interview Mayor Johnson later for his reactions to Baumgartner's offer. "It's something to seriously consider," said Johnson. "I'm certainly going to think about it. I was UEZ chair when we sent him on those seminars, making him an official representative to the conferences. And he sat on the UEZ facade committee," he added. "Will we reinstitute him as city historian? Probably not," said Johnson, who alluded to personality conflicts. "Alwas agree that Werner can have some very valuable information - sometimes it's on base, other times off base. To me it's always about the best ideas. If I can have that -- if we can that's even better." AR asked why he cut off Baumgartner without the customary follow through, for example please call or let's have a meeting that other offers of help elicit, to which Johnson said he considered himself very "even handed", especially compared to others' treatment of Baumgartner in previous years. ]
Jerry Scarano – Waterpark – wd like to keep place repaired, security cameras on property, when gone over there water was running 8 or 9 clock at night/ Wake of what happened in Japan need to make clr about evacuation routes.
I asked for a list of who is getting health benefits or compensation for not taking them. Pls explain the OPRA laws for us.
FR: Open Public Records Act - a gov't or Pub entity when req’d mst supply docs w/in 7 days/ with exceptions -- pension, personnel, atty client records, all set forth in state law/
JS – ok I put in a request/ can u tell me what I did wrong that I didn’t get the information...
EJ – hammering / atty w/ finish and then your time is up
FR – if you felt response by city wasn't approp for rquest you can appeal.../
EJ – your time is up if you’d like to stay after the mtg…
Myra Campbell – lst mtg questioned about construc on Westside/ also elderly lady fell yesterday on Springwood Ave/ ambulance took her to JSMC, what is procedure when someone is hurt in that area/ also seems to be a wk slow down or stoppage, in Dec city council mtg it was mentioned wk wd stop for awhile/ sometimes when go home to own countries sometimes spend 3 months. But like to know when constru w/ resume?
Also concerned about Japan / some of businesses suffered immensely by infras wk, but didn’t seem to be anyone coming to aid of busineses and churches. Bill Gray is on leave, we know has 2 jobs/ but is he getting paid sep from BB and when he was here was he spending time in BB that should be / If we had a clock for 3 mins, so everyone can see.
TR – there is a case B Gray’s personnel matter, is a case in BB, but not going to talk about it. Construction schedule to talk about it he calls man named Kay (?)/
Mr. Kay -Weather changed on us too cold to resume concrete wk, lst cpl days weather allowed, w/ start sidewks on dwitt in next few days/ storm drain on de witt bet mattison and bands/ after that sanitary sewer/ planned on paving this morning but rains came
TR – so are we on schedule to meet deadline
M. K – oh yes/ contractor is here, whenever able to get some wk done he did/
Lou Parisi – VFW Catholic war veterans to honor last WWI Frank Bugles/ VFW here trained WWI, WWII, and Korean war, plan to hav a museum there…and extend our mem’l park on 5th ave. Asbury Pk fishing club very generous gave post $200.They meet at our post once a month. Want to publicly acknowledge that gift.
Minutes –
Temporary budget -- emergency voucher to cover temporary appropriations of $20,297, 398 to run government until the final budget is struck.
Workers Comp – 2 cases $45,000 and $11,000
Raffles – approved
Social Affair – Ninos Sin Fronteras Fdn – all yes
Taka request – all yes
Synaxis moved to 4/6/11 – all app’d
Appts/Reapp Plng and Zone Bd and Housing Commission need members – More names from Waterfront Redev Committee - Ansel Fusco, Brian Teripka, State of NJ Tom Niff, AP Peter Siegel
Jim Henry won’t be able to serve on WRC, JL has appointed someone else. Unclear who.
Budget -- Hearing - April 20, 2011
TR – state has a lot of new aspects to grant applic process every state that presents app to DCA, for transitional aid/ all must present their budget w/out transitional aid and the budget if adopted in that form wd’ve caused 110% tax increase/ taxpayers pay $12.4million or 31% of budget/ trans aid is almost a match for that. Must introduce budget before state aid is calculated/ this budget wd require 101% increase in taxes/
All yes/
RM – How much is it?
EJ – Hammer
FR – ordinances – establish a cap bank// April 20th
2nd ordinance, authorize revised finan agreement ABB Asbury renewal Griffin Block 119, lots 1 and 2 – this is a pilot agreement to be hears April 6, in lieu of taxes bldg owner w/ pay a PILOT, which will be better for city, TR said.
Award the pedal boat bid – all yes
- The Voice of Asbury Park ~ matters vital to justice, environment, equality, culture and pursuit of happiness.
Showing posts with label state aid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label state aid. Show all posts
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
State Keeps City Budget in Question - Council Meeting June 16, 2010
Welcome to the Reporters’ Notebook –
Corrections, Clarifications, Additions Welcome; AsburyRadio@aol.com
Council Meeting June 16, 2010
Mayor Absent – Present: Susan Hendrickson, Deputy Mayor John Loffredo, Kevin Sanders, James Bruno
City Introduces 2010 Budget Estimated at $40 Million
$24 Million to be Raised From Taxes
City Still in Dark Re State Aid for 2010
City Scrapes to Find Revenue Opps & Cost Cuts
[Readers are advised to review Executive, Workshop and Public Agendas at http://www.cityofasburypark.com/ ]
Workshop – missed beach badge discussion –
City Engineer, Brian Grant, $200mn from DOT, lkg to increase size of '09 program, wnt to change 09 program to get better economies of scale, lkg to combine to get all streets done/
Temporary budget for emergency $300k in budget in order to fund in timeline, need to add to emergency budget
Bruno – asking about change order for $293k
City Mgr, Terry Reidy – expanding 09 change order to save money in 2010
Don Sammett – Don was instructed to keep statements short- Joke –
Pkg fund payment, equal cost of a structured pkg stall/ a Central Business District (CBD) wide parking solution is being explored.
Chief Keddy of AP Fire Dept –
Commodities resale agreement and shared svcs plan. Charge $85/hr for repairs/ someone else wd do gen’l main for $68/hr / plus wd do resales to us, anything we need county also provides, also on svcs, current contractor $90/hr, county pays $48/hr. “Skies the limit” think we should take advantage of this.
Loffredo – lkg over what they wd do/ vehicle washing…does all this hav to go there
CKeddy – no whatever makes sense…we’re not obligated to go there.
Loffredo – if we sell vehicles to county w/we be committed to letting them do maintenance?
TR – if we’re paying twice as much w/ contracts we hv now, like lowest bidder, where bid makes sense to us/it’s at our discretion, our call
CK – very interested in extending
JL – cty gov needs reason to exist
CK –cty jst started getting vehicles serviced by cty garage (?)
TR –
Tom Gilmour, Commerce Dir – bids on signage program / wnt permission to go out for it, UEZ w/ pay/ for train station, beach, etc. ready to go finally
Special events – Allen Chapel summer camp on beach, wnt to waive beach fees kids 7 – 15, july 5 and 31/ pending review and app’l by special events committee.
Ocean Mile Swim – Joe supv of beach approves. 5th ave beach, may be moved to Sunset av beach, August also Sunset av
Bond fire – also sunset av beach.
NJ Race Club –
James Bruno - June 26th Asbury Av, between brand and heck, wnt to close, no (Loffredo)
July 4th – festival on north end of boardwalk, something diff. rides for kids north of sunset av pavilion and vendors
Parade 1pm cook to sunset, to ocean av, 2n third and 4th av for fireworks/ bruno wd love to put firewks on north end/ Gilmour has vetted that request w/ police and fire already
Gilmour -Letter from Madison Marquette; request to extend permit for euro bubble/ extend to aug 15th
ArtsCAP applied to Smithsonian, travel exhibit 2011, new harmonies, deals w/ musical heritage, first city that will hav that designation/ bring visitors into city/ yr long event maybe to celebrate our musical heritage/ curriculum for school system to use/ great op for us in 2011, to celebrate all great things happening here in the city. Talked to clubs very interstd tying into it. Since nat’l wd be nat’l exposure. W/ ask Kevin Sanders…
Bruno: absolutely!!
Comedy fest postponed, need more info.
James Famularo – impediments to housing choice// mkg free hsg choices, block grant requires this/ miss hazel Samuels recommends we use same firm Portnoy/ tk 4 – 6 mos for project to be completed.
JLoffredo – do they do anything re rehabbing existing housing?
JF – No – jst study identifies impediments to free housing choices.
JL – it’s a preliminary report to housing needs report
TR – are there discrimatory choices about hsg… not generated by HUD because agency thought we need…HUD requires of all HUD Block grant recipients
SH – are we obligated to HUD
JF – w/ put together a plan of action/ we can mk own
SH – Hazel Samuels (former Housing Dev Dir) is comfortable in using this company
TR- it’s an RFP, but yes Hazel is comfortable w/ this company
Gov body wd tk info and submit plan / not HUD telling us what to do.
Matters to be Introduced by Council –
SH – signs for parade say coucilwoman
Discussion of council members as substitute
JL – I was on The breeze radio this week and was brilliant
City Atty, Fred Raffetto: Council may take action on 4 items from exec session
1 - Redeveloper agreement between city and sp’wd commons LLC – Vince Gifford’s 5,881 sf 3-story mixed use structure with commercial spc on 1st flr and 16 affordable units on upper – 10 three , six 2 BR std redeveloper agreement
2 – first reading of ordinance to auth lease agreemtn for 4 Basket Ball courts w/ bd of ed – under 10 yr lease agreement city w/ take over maintain and renovate them/ w/ take 4 to 3 courts – funded by CBG Money
3 – resolution assumption Lynx Asset Services llc
Assumption by Lynx to the Griffin Redevelopment project located within the city’s central business district redevelopment area
4 – authorize settlement of case between Sebastion Ronald Lawes and city of AP – rear end collision vehicle driven by city employee, Anthony Thompson, employee in Public Wks Dept. Truck cdn’t come to full stop, snow conditions. January 29, 2007 accident date. Amicable resolution $15k to each of two plaintiffs-- driver and passenger.
Public portion – there w/ be budget hearing at end
Rita Marano – 8th Ave – Inservo claims? Can you tell us what that is? 30 cases at $40,000…
Clerk Steve Kay – what up w/ that
TR – third party administrator that manages claims wkman’s comp claims for city, Inservco reviews when employee files claim, if injury incurred during employment city req’d to pay for care. Sometimes city may challenge amount paid.
TR - In NJ wkers comp courts incredibly weighted toward workers’ claims. Once judge renders these opinions city legally obligated to make payments
RM – kids on bdwk last wkend collecting money, think it’s terrible
Who’s keeping track of the money?
Kevin Sanders –
We did it as kids.
Bob Stevens – 515 third av When is the sceheduled appt of municipal judge going to be
JLoffredo --doing interviews on the 25th, next meeting perhaps make announcement
BS – reappointment of Judge Mark Apostolou //wd recommend him/ (bs is volunteer with court system as a mediator) /operates well oiled machine/ very large calendar to deal w/ by far given highest accolades w/in county , the court itself, very professionally run crt/ if I were in position to mk appt. I wd give that op to hear bkgrnd what they hv to offer with understanding that that train rolls, that train moves…
Bill Resnick – 220 5th ave --Don’t know if anyone’s noticed how busy the beaches are as soon as the sun comes out/ city needs to charge more to make money.
Julian Purvis – 22nd annual jazz festival/ goes usually to 8 pm, now on flyer says goes to 6 pm/ everyone in city lk forward to/ concerned time it ends/ is it because of raise the roof concert down the street?
Sanders – city has done 22 yrs, but this yr different company running it. Don’t think other event has anything to do w/ decision/ RUE Entertainment is running the festival
Dale Bender – cookman av
Wants to get a pot belly pig and raise indoors, house trained, don’t shed, don’t bark, don’t bite/ this is no swine. How can amend restriction against.
JL –
JB – Garrett Giberson has had a bunch of them
TR – not uncommon in any municipality
JL – mr bender go ahead and get your pig and we’ll manage…
DB – cost to get on beach for fishing too much - $65 for season too much for those on fixed income
Lou Parisi – VFW, we pledge to one another our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor/ in less than 3 wks thanks to jim bruno we’re going to celebrate the birth of our great country 234 yrs ago. Thank you jim and council for bringing us the parade.
Thanks too for memorial day observances.
Close of public session –
Ap’d minutes june 2nd, all yes
$955,251.15 payroll for two wks.
Bill resolution $2mn +
13 liquor license renewals approved
Need tax clearance to renew liquor license – Chico’s, etc.
Special events – approved except for Asbury Av plan to block/ has to go bk to spec events committee
No reappointments
2010 target grant for police dept
Resolution approving Redeveloper agreement with Springwood Commons Project in Stars Redevelopment Area
Resolution Griffin Project - transfer of various agreements for the Griffin Project – approved…this was transferred from the private, closed session. No other info was provided.
Shared svcs w/ cty of Monmouth – approved
Fair housing choice app’d
Ordinance BB Courts – adjacent to middle school on bangs/ july 7th hearing appr’d introduction
Ordinance pkg along bangs av, etc. app’d
Terry Reidy - Exceed Budget CAP – auditor: appropriations w/in the CAP, which was set at zero, but cd go to 3.5% more/ this ordinance raises cap that amount/ anything unappropriated or unexpensed, those monies u can bank.
Meeting opened to public for comment on budget cap
Rita Marano – how does that impact tax payer?
Auditor – no not direct one to one impact on taxpayer
Budget as introduced is $1.6mn less than max allowable by statute.
All yes to adopt ordinance.
Sewer connection/ revising ordinance/ city atty fred raffetto asked to table for now to review possible modifications
Budget hearing now of 2010 budget – there is a statuatory req’t to have public hrg on muni budgets
TR – budget had to be introduced by certain date, with or without information from State regarding State contribution to the City/ state hasn’t figured out own budget yet/ or municipal aid it w/ send to towns either. Normally by now you’d know unofficially, this yr we do not, no muni in state receives info on this now. Despite that AP instructed by state to introduce budget, w/out special or transitional aid in it/ if no aid, city wd be forced to increase taxes by 110%. This won’t happen though since state has assured us we w/ will get aid; it jst hasn’t said how much.
Downside of process is that we’re w/out sufficient aid to discuss budget in regard to how much aid we’ll get and how much of the budget will have to be cut back to accommodate any shortfall, as you to the pt you raised a few moments earlier, Rita… to know what budget w/ be.
I’ve been down to Trenton doz times. Gov is aware situation AP is in/ very pleased progress city has made/
budget represents decrease in spending, no raise to AP city employee in last 3 yrs/ layoff plan goes into effect july 1/ reduced overtime fire dept by $400k/
revenue has increased in past 5 yrs. 09 beach rev $325k/ $80k raised just over Mem’l Day wkend/ $550k court and police revenue, last yr 1 milln$, pkg in 09 reached $275k/ in 09 first 2 wks $8,800, same weeks in 2010 tripled to $34,000.
But these revenues won’t balance budget in 2010. Strongly advocating to Trenton we need to chg way we fund muni services/ asked state to wk w/ us on task force to reduce costs of delivering services/ anyone can reduce budget by eliminating services, we’re not talking about that/ costs money to protect people feel safe when come to our town/ met w/ Lt Gov, Dept of Community Services commissioner, etc., all in support of AP to reduce overhead, we’re the only city that’s down there making specific proposals on how to do this. Don’t have spec answers from Trenton/
JBruno – Hope you did remind state they’re the ones who recommended council increase hiring in police and fire depts/ during its 6 mo audit review yrs ago/
City has received $30 mn in some aid from state over last 5 yrs. (This does not include other State aid. Ex: AP received $20 million from State last year.)
Public hearing – Marano declines saying city mgr did a good job of explaining. No one else speaks.
Meeting Adjourned
Corrections, Clarifications, Additions Welcome; AsburyRadio@aol.com
Council Meeting June 16, 2010
Mayor Absent – Present: Susan Hendrickson, Deputy Mayor John Loffredo, Kevin Sanders, James Bruno
City Introduces 2010 Budget Estimated at $40 Million
$24 Million to be Raised From Taxes
City Still in Dark Re State Aid for 2010
City Scrapes to Find Revenue Opps & Cost Cuts
[Readers are advised to review Executive, Workshop and Public Agendas at http://www.cityofasburypark.com/ ]
Workshop – missed beach badge discussion –
City Engineer, Brian Grant, $200mn from DOT, lkg to increase size of '09 program, wnt to change 09 program to get better economies of scale, lkg to combine to get all streets done/
Temporary budget for emergency $300k in budget in order to fund in timeline, need to add to emergency budget
Bruno – asking about change order for $293k
City Mgr, Terry Reidy – expanding 09 change order to save money in 2010
Don Sammett – Don was instructed to keep statements short- Joke –
Pkg fund payment, equal cost of a structured pkg stall/ a Central Business District (CBD) wide parking solution is being explored.
Chief Keddy of AP Fire Dept –
Commodities resale agreement and shared svcs plan. Charge $85/hr for repairs/ someone else wd do gen’l main for $68/hr / plus wd do resales to us, anything we need county also provides, also on svcs, current contractor $90/hr, county pays $48/hr. “Skies the limit” think we should take advantage of this.
Loffredo – lkg over what they wd do/ vehicle washing…does all this hav to go there
CKeddy – no whatever makes sense…we’re not obligated to go there.
Loffredo – if we sell vehicles to county w/we be committed to letting them do maintenance?
TR – if we’re paying twice as much w/ contracts we hv now, like lowest bidder, where bid makes sense to us/it’s at our discretion, our call
CK – very interested in extending
JL – cty gov needs reason to exist
CK –cty jst started getting vehicles serviced by cty garage (?)
TR –
Tom Gilmour, Commerce Dir – bids on signage program / wnt permission to go out for it, UEZ w/ pay/ for train station, beach, etc. ready to go finally
Special events – Allen Chapel summer camp on beach, wnt to waive beach fees kids 7 – 15, july 5 and 31/ pending review and app’l by special events committee.
Ocean Mile Swim – Joe supv of beach approves. 5th ave beach, may be moved to Sunset av beach, August also Sunset av
Bond fire – also sunset av beach.
NJ Race Club –
James Bruno - June 26th Asbury Av, between brand and heck, wnt to close, no (Loffredo)
July 4th – festival on north end of boardwalk, something diff. rides for kids north of sunset av pavilion and vendors
Parade 1pm cook to sunset, to ocean av, 2n third and 4th av for fireworks/ bruno wd love to put firewks on north end/ Gilmour has vetted that request w/ police and fire already
Gilmour -Letter from Madison Marquette; request to extend permit for euro bubble/ extend to aug 15th
ArtsCAP applied to Smithsonian, travel exhibit 2011, new harmonies, deals w/ musical heritage, first city that will hav that designation/ bring visitors into city/ yr long event maybe to celebrate our musical heritage/ curriculum for school system to use/ great op for us in 2011, to celebrate all great things happening here in the city. Talked to clubs very interstd tying into it. Since nat’l wd be nat’l exposure. W/ ask Kevin Sanders…
Bruno: absolutely!!
Comedy fest postponed, need more info.
James Famularo – impediments to housing choice// mkg free hsg choices, block grant requires this/ miss hazel Samuels recommends we use same firm Portnoy/ tk 4 – 6 mos for project to be completed.
JLoffredo – do they do anything re rehabbing existing housing?
JF – No – jst study identifies impediments to free housing choices.
JL – it’s a preliminary report to housing needs report
TR – are there discrimatory choices about hsg… not generated by HUD because agency thought we need…HUD requires of all HUD Block grant recipients
SH – are we obligated to HUD
JF – w/ put together a plan of action/ we can mk own
SH – Hazel Samuels (former Housing Dev Dir) is comfortable in using this company
TR- it’s an RFP, but yes Hazel is comfortable w/ this company
Gov body wd tk info and submit plan / not HUD telling us what to do.
Matters to be Introduced by Council –
SH – signs for parade say coucilwoman
Discussion of council members as substitute
JL – I was on The breeze radio this week and was brilliant
City Atty, Fred Raffetto: Council may take action on 4 items from exec session
1 - Redeveloper agreement between city and sp’wd commons LLC – Vince Gifford’s 5,881 sf 3-story mixed use structure with commercial spc on 1st flr and 16 affordable units on upper – 10 three , six 2 BR std redeveloper agreement
2 – first reading of ordinance to auth lease agreemtn for 4 Basket Ball courts w/ bd of ed – under 10 yr lease agreement city w/ take over maintain and renovate them/ w/ take 4 to 3 courts – funded by CBG Money
3 – resolution assumption Lynx Asset Services llc
Assumption by Lynx to the Griffin Redevelopment project located within the city’s central business district redevelopment area
4 – authorize settlement of case between Sebastion Ronald Lawes and city of AP – rear end collision vehicle driven by city employee, Anthony Thompson, employee in Public Wks Dept. Truck cdn’t come to full stop, snow conditions. January 29, 2007 accident date. Amicable resolution $15k to each of two plaintiffs-- driver and passenger.
Public portion – there w/ be budget hearing at end
Rita Marano – 8th Ave – Inservo claims? Can you tell us what that is? 30 cases at $40,000…
Clerk Steve Kay – what up w/ that
TR – third party administrator that manages claims wkman’s comp claims for city, Inservco reviews when employee files claim, if injury incurred during employment city req’d to pay for care. Sometimes city may challenge amount paid.
TR - In NJ wkers comp courts incredibly weighted toward workers’ claims. Once judge renders these opinions city legally obligated to make payments
RM – kids on bdwk last wkend collecting money, think it’s terrible
Who’s keeping track of the money?
Kevin Sanders –
We did it as kids.
Bob Stevens – 515 third av When is the sceheduled appt of municipal judge going to be
JLoffredo --doing interviews on the 25th, next meeting perhaps make announcement
BS – reappointment of Judge Mark Apostolou //wd recommend him/ (bs is volunteer with court system as a mediator) /operates well oiled machine/ very large calendar to deal w/ by far given highest accolades w/in county , the court itself, very professionally run crt/ if I were in position to mk appt. I wd give that op to hear bkgrnd what they hv to offer with understanding that that train rolls, that train moves…
Bill Resnick – 220 5th ave --Don’t know if anyone’s noticed how busy the beaches are as soon as the sun comes out/ city needs to charge more to make money.
Julian Purvis – 22nd annual jazz festival/ goes usually to 8 pm, now on flyer says goes to 6 pm/ everyone in city lk forward to/ concerned time it ends/ is it because of raise the roof concert down the street?
Sanders – city has done 22 yrs, but this yr different company running it. Don’t think other event has anything to do w/ decision/ RUE Entertainment is running the festival
Dale Bender – cookman av
Wants to get a pot belly pig and raise indoors, house trained, don’t shed, don’t bark, don’t bite/ this is no swine. How can amend restriction against.
JL –
JB – Garrett Giberson has had a bunch of them
TR – not uncommon in any municipality
JL – mr bender go ahead and get your pig and we’ll manage…
DB – cost to get on beach for fishing too much - $65 for season too much for those on fixed income
Lou Parisi – VFW, we pledge to one another our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor/ in less than 3 wks thanks to jim bruno we’re going to celebrate the birth of our great country 234 yrs ago. Thank you jim and council for bringing us the parade.
Thanks too for memorial day observances.
Close of public session –
Ap’d minutes june 2nd, all yes
$955,251.15 payroll for two wks.
Bill resolution $2mn +
13 liquor license renewals approved
Need tax clearance to renew liquor license – Chico’s, etc.
Special events – approved except for Asbury Av plan to block/ has to go bk to spec events committee
No reappointments
2010 target grant for police dept
Resolution approving Redeveloper agreement with Springwood Commons Project in Stars Redevelopment Area
Resolution Griffin Project - transfer of various agreements for the Griffin Project – approved…this was transferred from the private, closed session. No other info was provided.
Shared svcs w/ cty of Monmouth – approved
Fair housing choice app’d
Ordinance BB Courts – adjacent to middle school on bangs/ july 7th hearing appr’d introduction
Ordinance pkg along bangs av, etc. app’d
Terry Reidy - Exceed Budget CAP – auditor: appropriations w/in the CAP, which was set at zero, but cd go to 3.5% more/ this ordinance raises cap that amount/ anything unappropriated or unexpensed, those monies u can bank.
Meeting opened to public for comment on budget cap
Rita Marano – how does that impact tax payer?
Auditor – no not direct one to one impact on taxpayer
Budget as introduced is $1.6mn less than max allowable by statute.
All yes to adopt ordinance.
Sewer connection/ revising ordinance/ city atty fred raffetto asked to table for now to review possible modifications
Budget hearing now of 2010 budget – there is a statuatory req’t to have public hrg on muni budgets
TR – budget had to be introduced by certain date, with or without information from State regarding State contribution to the City/ state hasn’t figured out own budget yet/ or municipal aid it w/ send to towns either. Normally by now you’d know unofficially, this yr we do not, no muni in state receives info on this now. Despite that AP instructed by state to introduce budget, w/out special or transitional aid in it/ if no aid, city wd be forced to increase taxes by 110%. This won’t happen though since state has assured us we w/ will get aid; it jst hasn’t said how much.
Downside of process is that we’re w/out sufficient aid to discuss budget in regard to how much aid we’ll get and how much of the budget will have to be cut back to accommodate any shortfall, as you to the pt you raised a few moments earlier, Rita… to know what budget w/ be.
I’ve been down to Trenton doz times. Gov is aware situation AP is in/ very pleased progress city has made/
budget represents decrease in spending, no raise to AP city employee in last 3 yrs/ layoff plan goes into effect july 1/ reduced overtime fire dept by $400k/
revenue has increased in past 5 yrs. 09 beach rev $325k/ $80k raised just over Mem’l Day wkend/ $550k court and police revenue, last yr 1 milln$, pkg in 09 reached $275k/ in 09 first 2 wks $8,800, same weeks in 2010 tripled to $34,000.
But these revenues won’t balance budget in 2010. Strongly advocating to Trenton we need to chg way we fund muni services/ asked state to wk w/ us on task force to reduce costs of delivering services/ anyone can reduce budget by eliminating services, we’re not talking about that/ costs money to protect people feel safe when come to our town/ met w/ Lt Gov, Dept of Community Services commissioner, etc., all in support of AP to reduce overhead, we’re the only city that’s down there making specific proposals on how to do this. Don’t have spec answers from Trenton/
JBruno – Hope you did remind state they’re the ones who recommended council increase hiring in police and fire depts/ during its 6 mo audit review yrs ago/
City has received $30 mn in some aid from state over last 5 yrs. (This does not include other State aid. Ex: AP received $20 million from State last year.)
Public hearing – Marano declines saying city mgr did a good job of explaining. No one else speaks.
Meeting Adjourned
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Asbury Park City Manager is Open to Gov-Elect Christie's Ideas
Asbury Park City Manager Terry Reidy told Asbury Radio tonight that he's willing to consider whatever ideas the new governor may have for cutting waste and overhead in municipal budgets. See last item on tonight's Reporter's Notebook:
What prompted our question to Reidy: What will a Republican governor mean for Asbury Park? Asbury Park has a bipartisan, or no-party system, but its council members are predominantly Dems. Deputy Mayor John Loffredo ran for Assembly on a Democratic ticket.Governor-Elect Christopher Christie, voted in by a huge margin last night, upset the Democrat machine in New Jersey. Right now City schools, which comprise an Abbott District, and our City government both enjoy millions in state and federal aid. Will the Christie administration share the wisdom of this strategy? Leave your comments by clicking on Comment below and add your opinion to the survey to the right.
Reporters’ Notes of AP City Council Meeting of Nov 4, 2009 - Feel free to send changes, suggestions, corrections, etc. The comment section does not require you to identify yourself on your posting.
Work Session – Present all but Council member James Bruno
Dennis Carroll, Pres. ArtsCap and Doug Ferrari, SICA, Exec Dir, gave presentation on Sculptoure Event – visit www.artscap.org
Bidders on renovation of Transportation Center bid $148,900, lowest bid $97,814. $50k difference, staff recommends bid go to Gavan, the lower bidder. Johnson asked if wouldn’t be better to go with higher quality, if that’s what accounts for the wide diff. Fred Raffetto’s recommendation compare bids again to see if materials differ significantly, since state requires accept lower bid.
Chief Kinmon - Police dept to accept $10k for homeland security to train patrol dog for explosives. Go toward purchase and its feed and training classes. Detective Newman is experienced with canine patrol. This will be the third dog, other two are trained in narcotics detection. Dogs can’t be cross-trained. When dog is phased out, it goes to detective Dan Newman’s house.
City Mgr, Terry Reidy, Betty Brock, from US Census, made presentation months ago to form committee to ensure accurate census of AP. Johnson suggested, to laughter, that Councilman Bruno serve on it, since he’s not here tonight. Council member Sue Henderson volunteered. “It’s important that our own residents get to do this.”
Johnson: some feel census is an invasion of privacy, want to allay those fears.
Proposed fee increases for Construction Dept.
Recommendations, from TReidy – many fees hav been static for yrs. They’ve compared with other communities. Covers subcode, plumbing, fire subcode, special permit, including demolition fees and COs.
Special Event apps – Gilmour on vacation
TReidy: Jersey Shore Running club – benefit AP youth.
Matters to be introduced by city council:
Mayor Ed Johnson: Can we include parking instructions in the City calendar? Too late for this year, but next.
Also, wd police lk into pkg violation fines? He’s been watching chronic pkg behavior: double parking, idling, blocking traffic. Raise fines enough to get your attention. It’s out of control. I can see it everywhere. No one stopping at stop signs, hardly anyone stopping…speeding too. Don’t want to see pkg tkts going thru roof, but it’s like people just don’t care.”
Chf Kinmon – absolutely right mayor, will step up the efforts. He got a parking tkt in NY and it cost $110.
EJ – Well we don’t have to go that far.
TR – we’ll come back w/ recommendations for fees.
EJ – anyone lk into serving liquor at brunches on Sundays?
TR – have talked to tom dibenedetto, pres of the chamber.
No matters from executive session w/ be looked at by council.
TR – Halloween was very good in Asbury Park – parades and pet parade. 50 dogs entered.
At silent prayer, Mayor Johnson, recognized Fireman Robert Bush, 40, who passed away.
Open Session:
Miss Colliers – Fair is Fair and Interfaith Neighbors do good work. (But) if miss eva is willing to build these homes for the community I believe she should have them…you should allow her to build.
Phillips – Avenue A, jst want to see miss eva’s project come along. Section 8 helped me a lot other people could the same way.
Another resident of neighborhood – Give Miss Ava a chance.
Tina Chuna – Avenue A Give her a chance to see what she can do for Avenue A.
Johnson – same neighborhood. See a lot of black people have gotten old and don’t have good places to live. Favors Miss Ava.
Another for Horvath – Give her a chance
Eric ? – Avenue A – Favors Eva
? Thomas – Avenue A – She needs the three lots.
Lifelong resident AP – She should have a chance. Recession is hard, people can’t afford it…should hv chnc to bld affordable housing.
Everton Barham – 32 Avenue A – endorse my neighbors. My parting word is Yes she can.
Eva Horvath – major pts of proj. we can bld 8 homes, if hold bk these 3 lots and let us apply for grant. There’s a 25% minimum required by city to allow us to apply for a grant. Let us apply and then we’ll see. We made our street drug free, a beacon of hope, started a community garden. We proved that w/ just back breaking work we cd make something beautiful. Let us show what we can do.
Rita Marano – 8th Ave
Amending budget tonight, can you explain that money?
How much is it for ambulance to come to house and take to hospital
Chief Keddy – Billing company bills out at $460. is maximum they bill out.
She got charged even for the gas.
TReidy – aft budget adopted any add’l $ comes in city has to amend budget to add: 2 grants came in for police dept. $235, 214. and $104, 446. Higher is for hybrid police cars and the other is for car for street crimes unit, which has system w/ camera, license plate recognition system, to see if stolen or Regis expired or owner wanted for something. Can’t take that grant money and spend it on something else. Not spent yet, but dedicated for that purpose.
Frank Saffits(?)…representing Citizens United – thanks for trimming trees on Atkins Ave. Public safety concern between Bangs Av and Middle schools, the park area. Also, at our church last month had three on three basketball game, included even bloods and crips. Do renovation at schools over there. Maybe in summer can have it resurfaced.
Lou Parisi – VFW AP – greatest celebration world had ever known cost 10 million lives, left behind 117,000 of our American dead. Next wk honor these men on Veterans Day. Invite everyone 11 AM to come to Memorial Park, on 5th Avenue, will dedicate part of memorial park to honor our policemen, for those lost in line of duty.
Ed Simon – locksmith – 3rd and Main – had wonderful time w/ the trolley. Found out there’s a haunted house in AP. Took 500 kids to the haunted house. Next year will take trolley across tracks to children over there. Will work w/ the Berkley and interface with the Halloween parade.
Yvette Chilton – 7th Ave – wore 4” heels running up and down the trolley stairs all day, giving out candy to the kids and had a great time.
Jerry Scarano – Long Branch – permit for new furnaces and water heaters…asked price of gravel property along Kennedy park - $200,000, says Reidy. Would council be willing to forgo salaries in view of new governor being for smaller budgets. JLoffredo says no.
Denise Richardson - by Atkins where they trimmed trees, there’s a place where cars get plowed in when it snows. Dirt road between townhouses and trees.
End of public portion:
Payroll – health cov’ge $1,292,000. all yes 2, 272,000 bill resolution for two weeks
Central Jersey Club – raffle application-- all yes
Spec Events app for Marathon – all yes
Accelerated Tax Sale approved.
Yvonne Adams appt’d Recycling Coordinator
Added revenue see above for police equipment – Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants
Approve grant for bomb sniffing dog.
Dec 2nd meeting – personnel policy, residents requirements eliminated.
Public hearing for bond ordinance $3 million for senior center.
Rita Marano – still think unfair bonding, taking into acct 3 generations w/ be owing the debt/ Don’t think seniors will appreciate having to go all the way to Atkins Av and take stairs or elevator. Are we ever going to get out of bondage?
TReidy – we looked at another location. Also thought third floor of new bldg wd be better, but seniors who currently attend the center at Seaview Tower asked for the second floor.
Nov 16th carried award of bid.
After the meeting, which ended about 8 pm, Asbury Radio asked Terry Reidy if he anticipates any problems continuing to get the generous subsidies that the City depends on from the State, now that a Republican governor will be taking the helm.
Reidy started by saying it remains to be seen. Then he said, “I think AP is the perfect city for Governor-Elect Christie to work w/, in terms of developing a model for urban cities to be held accountable to; in terms of regionalizing services, sharing services, being able to generate revenue to support your own services.
“The State had done an audit when I first got here. They made recommendations and we’ve been following that plan.
Reidy said several times that he is “looking forward to sitting down” with Christie or his representatives.
I asked about audit that the State had performed last spring and Reidy said the City has been following those recommendations. I asked specifically about his intentions as far as having employees pay at least a portion of their health insurance premiums.
Reidy said referenced the unions as a possible obstacle to that. I thought the union, I believe AFSME actually suggested that, but Reidy was shocked the workers own union would suggest the members pay for something they’re getting now for free or little. (I think I have this somewhere and will check.)
“I’ve got the list,” he obliged. “I’ll take another look at it.”
Generally, he said,
“We have to take it (the new State Administration) one step at a time. Have to speak to Gov Christie. We’re open to what other people have to say.”
At this point, I had to close down my computer for a low battery. So I’m taking this from memory. But Reidy vowed to remain open to any avenues to reducing costs, including merging towns and services and seemed to embrace the popular attitude these days that spending, especially for duplication of efforts, has got to be brought under control. He mentioned the numerous small towns that carry the burden of their own safety service equipment, which may not be necessary to protect their residents.
Also adding to the uncertainty of what to expect from the new governor is the fact that his campaign strategy, which Reidy pointed out to me, was to withhold the details of his economic reform plan so that opponents couldn’t tear it apart. That also leaves towns wondering what to expect, too.
What prompted our question to Reidy: What will a Republican governor mean for Asbury Park? Asbury Park has a bipartisan, or no-party system, but its council members are predominantly Dems. Deputy Mayor John Loffredo ran for Assembly on a Democratic ticket.Governor-Elect Christopher Christie, voted in by a huge margin last night, upset the Democrat machine in New Jersey. Right now City schools, which comprise an Abbott District, and our City government both enjoy millions in state and federal aid. Will the Christie administration share the wisdom of this strategy? Leave your comments by clicking on Comment below and add your opinion to the survey to the right.
Reporters’ Notes of AP City Council Meeting of Nov 4, 2009 - Feel free to send changes, suggestions, corrections, etc. The comment section does not require you to identify yourself on your posting.
Work Session – Present all but Council member James Bruno
Dennis Carroll, Pres. ArtsCap and Doug Ferrari, SICA, Exec Dir, gave presentation on Sculptoure Event – visit www.artscap.org
Bidders on renovation of Transportation Center bid $148,900, lowest bid $97,814. $50k difference, staff recommends bid go to Gavan, the lower bidder. Johnson asked if wouldn’t be better to go with higher quality, if that’s what accounts for the wide diff. Fred Raffetto’s recommendation compare bids again to see if materials differ significantly, since state requires accept lower bid.
Chief Kinmon - Police dept to accept $10k for homeland security to train patrol dog for explosives. Go toward purchase and its feed and training classes. Detective Newman is experienced with canine patrol. This will be the third dog, other two are trained in narcotics detection. Dogs can’t be cross-trained. When dog is phased out, it goes to detective Dan Newman’s house.
City Mgr, Terry Reidy, Betty Brock, from US Census, made presentation months ago to form committee to ensure accurate census of AP. Johnson suggested, to laughter, that Councilman Bruno serve on it, since he’s not here tonight. Council member Sue Henderson volunteered. “It’s important that our own residents get to do this.”
Johnson: some feel census is an invasion of privacy, want to allay those fears.
Proposed fee increases for Construction Dept.
Recommendations, from TReidy – many fees hav been static for yrs. They’ve compared with other communities. Covers subcode, plumbing, fire subcode, special permit, including demolition fees and COs.
Special Event apps – Gilmour on vacation
TReidy: Jersey Shore Running club – benefit AP youth.
Matters to be introduced by city council:
Mayor Ed Johnson: Can we include parking instructions in the City calendar? Too late for this year, but next.
Also, wd police lk into pkg violation fines? He’s been watching chronic pkg behavior: double parking, idling, blocking traffic. Raise fines enough to get your attention. It’s out of control. I can see it everywhere. No one stopping at stop signs, hardly anyone stopping…speeding too. Don’t want to see pkg tkts going thru roof, but it’s like people just don’t care.”
Chf Kinmon – absolutely right mayor, will step up the efforts. He got a parking tkt in NY and it cost $110.
EJ – Well we don’t have to go that far.
TR – we’ll come back w/ recommendations for fees.
EJ – anyone lk into serving liquor at brunches on Sundays?
TR – have talked to tom dibenedetto, pres of the chamber.
No matters from executive session w/ be looked at by council.
TR – Halloween was very good in Asbury Park – parades and pet parade. 50 dogs entered.
At silent prayer, Mayor Johnson, recognized Fireman Robert Bush, 40, who passed away.
Open Session:
Miss Colliers – Fair is Fair and Interfaith Neighbors do good work. (But) if miss eva is willing to build these homes for the community I believe she should have them…you should allow her to build.
Phillips – Avenue A, jst want to see miss eva’s project come along. Section 8 helped me a lot other people could the same way.
Another resident of neighborhood – Give Miss Ava a chance.
Tina Chuna – Avenue A Give her a chance to see what she can do for Avenue A.
Johnson – same neighborhood. See a lot of black people have gotten old and don’t have good places to live. Favors Miss Ava.
Another for Horvath – Give her a chance
Eric ? – Avenue A – Favors Eva
? Thomas – Avenue A – She needs the three lots.
Lifelong resident AP – She should have a chance. Recession is hard, people can’t afford it…should hv chnc to bld affordable housing.
Everton Barham – 32 Avenue A – endorse my neighbors. My parting word is Yes she can.
Eva Horvath – major pts of proj. we can bld 8 homes, if hold bk these 3 lots and let us apply for grant. There’s a 25% minimum required by city to allow us to apply for a grant. Let us apply and then we’ll see. We made our street drug free, a beacon of hope, started a community garden. We proved that w/ just back breaking work we cd make something beautiful. Let us show what we can do.
Rita Marano – 8th Ave
Amending budget tonight, can you explain that money?
How much is it for ambulance to come to house and take to hospital
Chief Keddy – Billing company bills out at $460. is maximum they bill out.
She got charged even for the gas.
TReidy – aft budget adopted any add’l $ comes in city has to amend budget to add: 2 grants came in for police dept. $235, 214. and $104, 446. Higher is for hybrid police cars and the other is for car for street crimes unit, which has system w/ camera, license plate recognition system, to see if stolen or Regis expired or owner wanted for something. Can’t take that grant money and spend it on something else. Not spent yet, but dedicated for that purpose.
Frank Saffits(?)…representing Citizens United – thanks for trimming trees on Atkins Ave. Public safety concern between Bangs Av and Middle schools, the park area. Also, at our church last month had three on three basketball game, included even bloods and crips. Do renovation at schools over there. Maybe in summer can have it resurfaced.
Lou Parisi – VFW AP – greatest celebration world had ever known cost 10 million lives, left behind 117,000 of our American dead. Next wk honor these men on Veterans Day. Invite everyone 11 AM to come to Memorial Park, on 5th Avenue, will dedicate part of memorial park to honor our policemen, for those lost in line of duty.
Ed Simon – locksmith – 3rd and Main – had wonderful time w/ the trolley. Found out there’s a haunted house in AP. Took 500 kids to the haunted house. Next year will take trolley across tracks to children over there. Will work w/ the Berkley and interface with the Halloween parade.
Yvette Chilton – 7th Ave – wore 4” heels running up and down the trolley stairs all day, giving out candy to the kids and had a great time.
Jerry Scarano – Long Branch – permit for new furnaces and water heaters…asked price of gravel property along Kennedy park - $200,000, says Reidy. Would council be willing to forgo salaries in view of new governor being for smaller budgets. JLoffredo says no.
Denise Richardson - by Atkins where they trimmed trees, there’s a place where cars get plowed in when it snows. Dirt road between townhouses and trees.
End of public portion:
Payroll – health cov’ge $1,292,000. all yes 2, 272,000 bill resolution for two weeks
Central Jersey Club – raffle application-- all yes
Spec Events app for Marathon – all yes
Accelerated Tax Sale approved.
Yvonne Adams appt’d Recycling Coordinator
Added revenue see above for police equipment – Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants
Approve grant for bomb sniffing dog.
Dec 2nd meeting – personnel policy, residents requirements eliminated.
Public hearing for bond ordinance $3 million for senior center.
Rita Marano – still think unfair bonding, taking into acct 3 generations w/ be owing the debt/ Don’t think seniors will appreciate having to go all the way to Atkins Av and take stairs or elevator. Are we ever going to get out of bondage?
TReidy – we looked at another location. Also thought third floor of new bldg wd be better, but seniors who currently attend the center at Seaview Tower asked for the second floor.
Nov 16th carried award of bid.
After the meeting, which ended about 8 pm, Asbury Radio asked Terry Reidy if he anticipates any problems continuing to get the generous subsidies that the City depends on from the State, now that a Republican governor will be taking the helm.
Reidy started by saying it remains to be seen. Then he said, “I think AP is the perfect city for Governor-Elect Christie to work w/, in terms of developing a model for urban cities to be held accountable to; in terms of regionalizing services, sharing services, being able to generate revenue to support your own services.
“The State had done an audit when I first got here. They made recommendations and we’ve been following that plan.
Reidy said several times that he is “looking forward to sitting down” with Christie or his representatives.
I asked about audit that the State had performed last spring and Reidy said the City has been following those recommendations. I asked specifically about his intentions as far as having employees pay at least a portion of their health insurance premiums.
Reidy said referenced the unions as a possible obstacle to that. I thought the union, I believe AFSME actually suggested that, but Reidy was shocked the workers own union would suggest the members pay for something they’re getting now for free or little. (I think I have this somewhere and will check.)
“I’ve got the list,” he obliged. “I’ll take another look at it.”
Generally, he said,
“We have to take it (the new State Administration) one step at a time. Have to speak to Gov Christie. We’re open to what other people have to say.”
At this point, I had to close down my computer for a low battery. So I’m taking this from memory. But Reidy vowed to remain open to any avenues to reducing costs, including merging towns and services and seemed to embrace the popular attitude these days that spending, especially for duplication of efforts, has got to be brought under control. He mentioned the numerous small towns that carry the burden of their own safety service equipment, which may not be necessary to protect their residents.
Also adding to the uncertainty of what to expect from the new governor is the fact that his campaign strategy, which Reidy pointed out to me, was to withhold the details of his economic reform plan so that opponents couldn’t tear it apart. That also leaves towns wondering what to expect, too.
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