**** Borough Meeting Highlights 8-05-2022

29 Aug **** Borough Meeting Highlights 8-05-2022

Dear West Wildwood Neighbors.

The eighth monthly borough meeting of 2022 was held on Friday, August 5th at 7:00 pm in Borough Hall.  Approximately 20 people were in attendance.   Mayor Ksiazek, Commissioners Segrest and Banning, Administrator/Municipal Clerk Donna Frederick, Deputy Clerk Carl O’Hala and Solicitor Lyons were present.

Ordinance #604 (2022) – first reading:  Reallocation of bond funds not spent on projects as specified in original Ordinance #592 (2021).  Funds will be reallocated to the Lake Avenue bulkhead and outfall pipe project.

Resolutions #2022-081 through #2022-089 relate to the following:

• Chapter 159 for the insertion of the American Rescue Plan of 2021 funds received in the amount of $28,783.86.
• Authorizing the borough engineer to design, prepare and advertise bid specifications and provide construction observation services for the bulkhead replacement and storm water improvements at Venice Avenue and Lake Road at $44,438 and Phase 2 of manhole repairs at $7,000.
• Authorizing a non-fair and open contract for the professional services of special project engineer Mott Macdonald, LLC related to coastal resiliency and flood mitigation not to exceed $35,000.
• Authorizing change order #1, final, for the reconstruction of Avenue A, an increase to the contract amount of $25,198.
• Authorizing the release of performance bond to Budd’s Grading & Excavating, LLC in the amount of $75.
• Authorizing the extension of the grace period for property taxes due August 1, 2022, to August 24, 2022. Interest will accrue if payments are not received on or before August 24^th.
• Authorizing the release of escrow to K & D Family Marina. Previously submitted applications have been withdrawn from the planning board.
• Authorizing the awarding of a contract to James M. Rutala Associates LLC for planning and grant consultation services in the amount of $10,000. Work will be in conjunction with the special project engineer for coastal resiliency and flood mitigation.

The commissioner reports were presented, and they will be available in their entirety on the Borough website.  If you would like a copy of any report, please request it via our email address below or OPRA it directly from Borough Hall.

PUBLIC WORKS:

• New equipment purchased included a trash pump to help with the repair of flood gates and additional landscaping equipment.
• Installed new rails and wedges/dog ears were ordered for the E Avenue flood gate. These parts should address the flooding on J Avenue.
• New signs have been installed related to no smoking and allowing dogs on the beach during the off season.
• The mayor thanked the public works crew that worked during the 4^th of July parade and festivities for a successful event.
• The pavilion is about a month out of delivery and installation.
• The dump truck ordered over 60+ weeks ago has not been received.
• Work on repairing the siren prior to hurricane season.
• Municipal building roof should be included in the 2023

ENGINEERING NEWS:

• The Maple Avenue USDA project is expected to move forward in 2023. Commissioner Segrest attended a meeting with the USDA regarding compliance review.
• J Avenue DOT project should be awarded in October or November.
• Pine Avenue DOT project redevelopment design phase is in process and bids should go out in September.
• Additional manhole repairs will be financed by the American Rescue Plan (COVID) funds of almost $29,000.
• Punch lists have been received for A Avenue and Poplar and G Avenues. Projects will be closed out shortly.
• Police ADA ramp is awaiting approval of award to RA Walters & Son Incorporated from the NJ DCA.
• Phase I of the Living Shoreline/26^th Street project will begin with seeking funding or BRIC grants. Planning and design funding will follow. Steve M., environmental specialist of Mott Macdonald, LLC attended the meeting.
• A borough wide flood plan should be prepared identifying all flood mitigation projects. This should help with funding for the Living Shoreline/26^th Street project.
• A map of the borough’s road construction projects has been prepared and will be posted in the borough office and web site.

FINANCE:

• As of August 1^st, the overall borough expenditures are at 52% of all accounts compared to the 58% point of the calendar year. We are tracking below the budgeted amounts.

SEWER:

• Total flow % of the region was 1.3% for June and 1.14% for July as compared to the Borough average of 1.8% and our forecasted target was 1.6%. Commissioner Segrest is hopeful the coming months will produce lower rates resulting in a credit at year end as compared to an additional assessment.
• The third phase of the manhole project will include 20 manholes located on Glenwood Avenue, Magnolia Avenue, and other borough locations. The repairs are scheduled to occur in September and October. The goal is to complete the manhole repairs and then focus on preventive maintenance.

PUBLIC SAFETY (249 calls for service):

• Total motor vehicle stops totaled 22 during the month as well as 36 parking complaints/violations.
• There were 14 medical assists/well-being checks in June and 19 general complaints.
• The Borough will strictly enforce parking. Driveways and sidewalks should not be blocked.
• Golf carts (LSVs) are held to the same regulations as cars including seat belts.
• Bicycles and E-bikes are required to ride along with the flow of traffic, not against it. Riding on sidewalks is prohibited, except for younger children.
• Anyone under the age of 17 is required to wear a helmet.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: 

• The no smoking (vaping) ordinance does not permit smoking in the Borough’s public parks, public places and around the municipal building.
• A resident questioned how often the beach is cleaned. The mayor said the beach is routinely checked; however, the sea hay is cleared out only once or twice a year.
• The existing ramp at the police department is damaged and will be replaced shortly. Grant funds will pay for the new ramp.
• Per NJ State, American Rescue Plan (COVID) funds can be used for sewer and water infrastructure projects. The Borough will use the funds for sewer infrastructure repairs.  Between 2021 and 2022 we have received approximately $54,000.
• The overall tax rate has decreased. The school tax decreased, while the county taxes including library and open space increased.  The borough tax rate is negligibly lower.
• The subject of the executive closed-door sessions cannot be disclosed at this time as matters are pending.
• The Borough is not defending any legal matters currently other than routine tax assessments.
• Nothing has been submitted to the clerk regarding recall efforts, despite comments in the Herald.

We encourage you to listen to the audio from the meeting to have a better understanding of actual comments.

See you soon,
The CTWWW Advisory Council

Trish Sinnott – President
Mary Anne Welsh – Secretary
Jim Bannan – Director
Susan Czwalina – Treasurer
Vacant – Vice President
Vacant – Director
Vacant – Director
Vacant – Director