On today’s agenda is the introduction of an ordinance that amends the city’s laws regarding flood damage prevention. This is an important action that the Council will take, as the adoption of this ordinance will ensure that the city retains Class 3 status in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System.
Sea Isle has worked very hard to achieve Class 3 status - we were the first to achieve this rating in New Jersey several years ago. As we’ve discussed previously, due to recent changes in the manner that communities are scored in the program, some of the actions that were taken following Super Storm Sandy were no longer considered eligible by FEMA. Despite that, the city worked in conjunction with FEMA to determine further actions we could take to maintain our Class 3 status. I’m happy to report that we’ve been informed by our contacts at the Insurance Services Office, who work on behalf of FEMA, that with the adoption of this ordinance we will maintain our Class 3 status.
I want to thank our construction official and floodplain manager, Neil Byrne, and our solicitor Paul Baldini, for their efforts in this achievement. They’ve been involved with this program and this process for many years, and all our homeowners with flood insurance enjoy a substantial discount as a result of the city’s participation in the CRS program.
As we reported at the last Council meeting, the city would be performing sand harvesting operations at the southern end of the island to improve beach conditions between about 88th and 92nd Streets. I’m pleased to report that these efforts have been largely successful, and I expect all beaches to be open and accessible for the coming Memorial Day weekend.
Also today, I’m very proud and honored to be able to recognize and congratulate one of our own residents, Ellie Kutschera. Ellie was a semi-finalist in the New Jersey League of Municipalities’ Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition. Over 50 municipalities submitted entries for this competition, and Ellie was one of four Cape May County residents who were chosen as a semi-finalist for this prestigious award.
Finally, on the agenda today is a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant to the city from Cape May County. Commissioner Andy Bulakowski is here today from the county Board of Commissioners to make that presentation.
Smile…You’re in Sea Isle,
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
Our most recent City Council meeting was held on Saturday, May 6, as part of Sea Isle City’s annual Community Day – and we were very pleased to see some new faces in the audience and to speak with so many members of the community that day.
At the start of the May 6 meeting, Business Administrator George Savastano addressed concerns that were initially brought-up at the Recreation Committee meeting earlier in the week regarding the addition of shade at the playgrounds and requests for additional recreation activities. At that time, he also addressed the sand harvesting project that is currently taking place in Sea Isle’s south-end in preparation for the 2023 summer season (and prior to the beach replenishment program that is scheduled to take place this fall). The city will continue to address any issues related to Sea Isle’s beaches and to provide as much recreation space on the sand as possible in the south-end, where our beaches were negatively impacted by multiple storms earlier this year.
Also on May 6, Ordinance 1697 was adopted following Second Reading and Public Hearing. Due to public safety issues, this ordinance was written to prohibit parking on the north-side of 43rd Place and to adjust the hours of the loading zone at 43rd Place and Park Road.
Each of the resolutions on the May 6 Consent Agenda was approved, including...
• Resolution 083, which authorized the submittal of a Grant Application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the reconstruction of Central Avenue from 56th Street to JFK Boulevard.
• Resolution 084, which authorized the submittal of a Grant Application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Stormwater Assistance Grant Program.
During the “Citizen Comment” portion of the May 6 meeting, several citizens reiterated some of the concerns that were discussed at the recent Recreation Committee meeting. Afterwards, Director of Community Services Katherine Custer addressed some of the limitations that exist, and she explained what the Recreation Office is doing to accommodate the many requests that are received. A resident also expressed concerns over the possibility of wind farms being built along New Jersey’s coastline.
We want to thank everyone who attended the City Council meeting on May 6 – and everyone who attended the other Community Day events. May 6 was a great day in Sea Isle City, and it clearly displayed what a wonderful community we have.
The next City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 23, at 10:00 AM on the third floor of City Hall – and we hope to see you there.
Best regards from the members of City Council,
Council President Mary Tighe
Frank Edwardi
J.B. Feeley
William Kehner
Jack Gibson
