During last week’s City Council meeting, I announced that we are moving ahead with our plans for this year’s Independence Day Fireworks Show, which will take place on Sunday, July 4th, at 9:00 p.m. The fireworks will once again be launched from an ocean barge near the 50th Street beach, and they will cap-off what I predict will be Sea Isle City’s best Independence Day to date!
As you may have heard, earlier this week Governor Murphy announced that as of May 7 he was easing the restrictions on outside gatherings from 250 people to 500 people, and he plans to remove all outdoor gathering limits as of May 19 – however those attending outdoor events will still need to practice social distancing and remain six-feet apart from other groups.
Obviously, this is very good news for the entire Garden State and it is also good news for the many people who were disappointed that we had to cancel Sea Isle City’s 2020 “Saturday Night Concerts Under the Stars,” because now we are able to host this year’s summer concert series at the Excursion Park Band Shell as we hoped! That being said, I have asked the City’s Tourism Office to ensure that the popular tribute bands we reserved for the 2021 concert series will be ready to perform on Saturday evenings this summer – so get ready to sing and dance to the sounds of Motown, Elton John, Elvis, Neil Diamond and other popular musicians. As this year’s concert dates approach, we will keep everyone informed of current social distancing requirements, so as many people as possible can safely enjoy this summer’s line-up of performances. In the meantime, go to www.VISITSICNJ.com or phone the Tourism Office for information about this summer’s concert schedule.
According to the Governor, the easing of crowd size restrictions is the result of COVID-19 numbers trending in the right direction and our State’s vaccination goals being within reach. However, I remind everyone that we must all continue to do the right thing by following all CDC guidelines regarding facemasks and social distancing, and I encourage those who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine to please do so as soon as you can.
The Chamber of Commerce will host their annual City-Wide Yard Sale on Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and I am told that more than seventy local properties will be participating – which no doubt means there will be many wonderful “finds” waiting for bargain hunters all over Sea Isle City. Also, please mark your calendars now for our Community Shredding Event, which takes place on Saturday, May 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon in the Welcome Center’s parking lot. The Shredding Event is being sponsored by 1st Bank of Sea Isle City – and it’s a great opportunity to rid your home of unwanted documents and sensitive paperwork.
In closing, I would like to thank everyone who attended Saturday’s grand opening of Sea Isle City’s newest recreation facility, the Jim Iannone Fishing Pier and Kayak Launch at Dealy Field. It was such a pleasure to see so many people gathered in Commissioner Iannone’s memory – and to officially open that beautiful pier, which will be enjoyed for years to come by anglers, bird watchers, kayakers and anyone who wants to take-in the beauty of Sea Isle City’s wetlands and bay.
Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
City Council's Message
May 6, 2021
Due to COVID-19, the April 27 City Council meeting was held remotely; however, members of the public were able to participate in the meeting telephonically.
At the start of the April 27 meeting, Mayor Desiderio announced that as of May 10 Governor Murphy would be easing restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings, raising the limits to 250 people for various indoor activities and 500 people at outdoor gatherings. The Mayor also stated that Sea Isle City’s 2021 Independence Day Fireworks Display will take place as planned at 9:00 pm on Sunday, July 4. The Mayor also said he will soon make an announcement about the City’s Saturday night concerts at the Excursion Park Band Shell.
Following the Mayor’s comments, Council President Kehner announced that the May 15 City Council meeting was being rescheduled to May 11, due to the fact that this year’s Community Day activities have been cancelled and the May 15 meeting was scheduled to coincide with Community Day.
Also on April 27, City Council approved Resolution 081, which authorized a Person-to-Person Liquor License Transfer from Bennett Enterprises to 42nd Place LLC.
Next, Ordinance 1668 was introduced with first reading. This ordinance was written to adjust the speed limit from 25 mph to 15 mph and approve the installation of speed humps along the 300-block of 42nd Place. Ordinance 1668 will have second reading and possible adoption during the May 25 City Council meeting.
In addition to Ordinance 1668 being introduced, two other ordinances were adopted during the April 27 meeting: 1665 and 1666. Ordinance 1665 approved the creation of a Loading Zone on Pleasure Avenue near the site of the former Springfield Inn, which will streamline deliveries to the future restaurant currently being constructed on that site. Ordinance 1666 established a Lottery System for the City’s future Kayak Storage Racks at Dealy Field.
Each of the resolutions on the April 27 Consent Agenda was approved, including…
· Resolution 083, which named the City’s new Fishing Pier and Kayak Launch at Dealy Field in honor of Jim Iannone.
· Resolution 084, which authorized a Raffle Application for the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City’s Sailing Foundation.
· Resolution 085, which authorized a Closed Session City Council Meeting to discuss pending litigation.
· Resolution 086, which authorized a Place-to-Place Transfer (Extension of Premises) for GMH Holdings at 10 - 43rd Street.
· Resolution 087, which designated some Police Department weapons as surplus and authorized their trade-in to a reputable vendor, thus giving the City financial credit toward the purchase of additional weapons.
· Resolution 091, which confirmed Mayor Desiderio’s appointment of Paul Baldini Jr. as Sea Isle City’s Qualified Purchasing Agent.
· Resolution 092, which approved a Grant Application for the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety’s Body Camera Program.
· Resolution 093, which authorized the Approval of Settlement for 8600 Landis LLC vs. the City of Sea Isle City.
The next City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m. Due to the pandemic, the May 11 meeting will be held remotely; however members of the public will be able to participate in the meeting via telephone – and the public can also email questions and comments to the City Clerk’s Office prior to the meeting (sromano@seaislecitynj.us). More information about the May 11 meeting will be forthcoming.
Best Regards from the Members of City Council,
Council President William Kehner
Frank Edwardi
J.B. Feeley
Jack Gibson
Mary Tighe
